Winter Haven, Fl.- Charleston loses game 1 on the day to Holy Family 3-4.
The Basics
Location:Â DiamondplexÂ
Score:Â UC 3, HFÂ 4
Records: UC 2-5, Holy Family 1-4
How it Happened
Holy Family was able to stave off a late comeback by UC to earn a 4-3 victory on Tuesday early afternoon. A two-out homer by Tigers centerfielder Abigail Smith notched the first run of the ball game in the top of the third inning. Holy Family would add on three more runs in the fourth inning to build a 4-0 lead.
UC's catcher Allysa Lake opened up the bottom of the fourth with a ringing double to right center. Pinch runner Lindsay Reavis advanced to third on a deep fly ball to center by Gracie Donato, and the Golden Eagles broke through with a run after Mikayla Ferguson drove a deep fly to left field scoring Reavis.
Mahea Haegele relieved UCs starter Dani Bauer (1-3) in the fourth and kept the Golden Eagles within reach as she shined in the circle during the final four innings by not allowing a hit.
In the bottom of the seventh, UC mounted a threat as Emma Groe and Olivia Pelfrey coaxed consecutive walks to start the inning. The next two batters were retired without damage, but Hannah Rose continued the threat as she loaded the bases when she was hit by a pitch. Kendal Marshall then blistered a liner through the left side to plate Rebekah Woody and Olivia Pelfrey to close the gap to 4-3. With the tying run on second base, Holy Family's Sam Ciasullo was able to close out the game when Allysa Lake popped out to second base.
Winter Haven, Fl.-Â Hannah Rose and Kendal Marshall powered the offense throughout the day and led the team to a game 2 win against University of Findlay.Â
The Basics
Location:Â DiamondplexÂ
Score:Â UC 3, UF 2
Records: UC 2-5, Findlay 6-3
How it Happened
The Golden Eagles had to turn around and play a hot Findlay squad who entered with a record of 6-2. Morgan Hoppe (2-2) got the start in the circle and held the Oilers scoreless through four innings.
In the top of the fifth, Carlie Odejewski started a rally with a one out single and proceeded to steal second base. Hannah Rose had a long at bat and eventually earned a walk. Kendal Marshall gave UC the lead with a single up the middle, scoring Odejewski and moving Rose from first over to third base. Allysa Lake brought in Rose with an RBI groundout to push the lead to 2-0. Gracie Donato closed out the scoring with an RBI single to right centerfield.
Findlay would answer back in the home-half of the fifth. Pinch hitter Bailey Bates opened the inning with a single, and after a fly out, Avery Shepherd homered to right center. With the score cut to 3-2, Megan Demler singled to centerfield. Morgan Hoppe was then lifted for Dani Bauer. Bauer threw one pitch inducing a groundball back to the circle where she twirled around and threw to Kaylee Hotchkiss covering second who then fired over to Alli Rubal to complete the double play effectively extinguishing the threat.
Although UC could not push across any other runs in the final two frames, Bauer did not allow Findlay to mount any other threat. Bauer earned her first save of the season as Morgan Hoppe picked up the victory.
Other performances of note included Hannah Rose's performance at the plate. She reached base in six of her seven plate appearances on the day. Kendal Marshall had two clutch hits and drove in two runs on the day. With the win today, head Coach Michelle Frew currently sits at 999 career collegiate victories.
Up Next:
The Golden Eagles will continue their spring break trip in Winter Haven, Florida on Thursday, March 3rd. Charleston will face Gannon at 10:00am and then square off against the University of Mary at 12:15pm.
