Charleston, W.Va.- Bauer throws six perfect innings in 10-0 victory. Haegele picks up first decision of the year in 5-3 vwin in game 2.
The Basics
Location: Watt Powell Annex
Score: G1: UC 10, KSU 0,
G2: UC 5, KSU 3
Records: UC 11-9, KSU 9-13
How it Happened
Game One
Although she had plenty of run support, Bauer would not need it, as she was perfect in the circle. She struck out 10 and retired all 18 batters that she faced. The one close opportunity to break up the no-no came late in the ball game. In the top of the sixth inning, Kendal Collier stepped to the plate and lined a ball that appeared to be heading for the right field line. UC first baseman, Gracie Donato, would snare it before it could reach the destination.
Charleston came barreling out of the gate early as the team put up four quick runs on the Thorobreds in the top of the first inning. Hannah Rose was hit by a pitch to open the inning, and Kendal Marshall followed with a perfectly placed bunt single. A double steal put both runners in scoring position to set up three-hole hitter Allysa Lake, who promptly lined a homerun over the left field fence. Thorobred starter, Kendal Collier, was able to retire the hot-hitting Morgan Hoppe, but Gracie Donato followed up with her first homer of the season that soared over the centerfield fence to give UC a 4-0 advantage after one inning.
The Golden Eagles would strike again in the fifth inning as Donato and Emma Groe put together back-to-back singles. After Brionna Bowman worked a two-out walk, Hannah Rose crushed a ground rule double to score two. A subsequent wild pitch would allow Bowman to score to balloon UC's lead to 7-0.
The game would close out in the bottom of the sixth inning after a Lake walk and a double to left field for Mikayla Ferguson. Donato would end the ball game in walk-off style with her second homerun of the game.
Bauer's perfect game was the first no-hitter for Charleston since 2015 when senior pitcher Courtney Fain shut down West Liberty 11-0 in a five-inning ball game. At the time, it was the first perfect game thrown by a UC pitcher.
Game Two
Mahea Haegele earned her first start of the season for the Golden Eagles. She was not greeted kindly by the visiting Thorobreds. Arianna Hill and Kailen Olisen opened the game with consecutive singles. With one out, Moana Pinner lined a pitch toward right field that tipped off the glove of the UC right fielder, doubling in two runs. Haegele would quickly settle down and strike out the next two batters, ending the threat.
Playing catch up in this contest, Charleston would put together a rally in the third inning. Olivia Pelfrey led off with a single up the middle and Carlie Odejewski's speed put pressure on the defense, resulting in a throwing error to set the stage for Allysa Lake. Lake would not disappoint as she slammed her second homer of the day to center. It was her team-leading fifth of the season, giving UC the lead which they would not relinquish.
Haegele was cruising as she sat down ten of eleven Kentucky State hitters until the top of the fifth inning. She surrendered consecutive singles to start the inning, but appeared poised to escape the jam after retiring the next two. However, a passed ball would allow a runner to score, tightening the score to a 4-3 UC lead.
The Golden Eagles would respond in the bottom half of the inning. Allysa Lake would single sharply to left center, bringing Gracie Donato back to the plate, who would drive a ball to the gap to drive in Lake for her sixth RBI of the day.
Haegele would cruise the rest of the way to earn her first victory of the season as she allowed three runs, two earned, while striking out seven. She did not give any free passes in the complete game.
Up Next:
Charleston will host Wheeling University to continue MEC play. The doubleheader is slated for a 2:00pm start on Saturday, March 26th.
