WINCHESTER, Va. – The Shenandoah University softball team wrapped up its regular season Saturday afternoon by with a non-conference doubleheader versus Sweet Briar College.
The Hornets (15-23) split with the Vixens (13-23), earning a 5-2 game two victory after SBC won game one, 4-3, in eight innings.
GAME ONE RECAP
After pregame senior day festivities, which saw
Allyssa Space,
Arlene Miller, and Savannah Throne all honored, the Hornets struck first in the bottom half of the second when Throne tagged up and scored on
Tiffany Bower's sacrifice fly to left field.
The pitchers dominated the middle portion of game one as neither team was able to strike again until the sixth inning. SU pitcher
Kayla Stephenson struck out five Vixens in the game.
In the top of the sixth, the Vixens took the lead for the first time on a fielder's choice and a single up the middle in back-to-back at-bats.
A no-doubt home run to left field off the bat of pitch hitter
Hannah Evans in the bottom of the frame tied things up at two and helped send the game to extras.
In the first and only bonus frame, Sweet Briar struck twice. A failed pick-off attempt at third sent the runner home and advanced one more to third. With a runner now on third, the Vixens scored its final run of the game on a groundout to the shortstop.
Miller led of the bottom half of the inning with a bunt that wound up becoming an infield single.
Sarah Medellin got the second sacrifice fly of the game to drive in
Lily Richichi, cutting the deficit to one.
Unfortunately, a deep fly ball to the warning track ended up being caught for the third and final out, securing the 4-3 win for the visitors.
Stephenson (8-13) took the loss. She gave up four runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk. Stephenson struck out five.
GAME TWO RECAP
A three-run sixth salvaged the split for SU in the 5-2 victory.
It took until the bottom of the third, but the Hornets got on the board first as Miller laid down a sacrifice bunt for the RBI with
Kristen Blee sliding across the plate.
Two innings later the Hornets scored again with yet another RBI from one of the seniors, as Throne drove a ball up the middle scoring Miller.
The Vixens tied things up at two in the sixth with back-to-back hits up the middle.
Brenna Snyder was able to wrangle a throw and get the last batter out at second as Bower applied the tag, ending the inning.
Shenandoah responded right away with three runs in the bottom half.
Paige Eagleton scored the final run on Blee's two RBI single, which also scored Bower.
Taylor Smith entered the circle for the Hornets in the seventh and got the final three outs for her fourth save of the season. Thorne (6-6) was the winner and struck out six while giving up the two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks.
UP NEXT
The softball team awaits the completion of the ODAC slate to learn its destination for next weekend's ODAC Tournament. Check suhornets.com for all schedule updates.
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