BALTIMORE– The Notre Dame of Maryland University softball team continued its momentum in conference play, sweeping Cairn University on Wednesday, April 10. The Gators took the opener 9-1 in five innings before earning an 8-0 victory in the nightcap.
GAME 1
The Gators fell behind early as Cairn University scored in the top of the first inning, but NDMU had an immediate response. Julianna Leatherwood started the rally, blasting a triple down the left field line. Jessie Leatherwood lifted a fly ball to center field, allowing Ju. Leatherwood to tag up and score. Charlene Torres restarted the rally, hammering a double into left field. Lilyian Hafner traded places with Torres, lining a double into center field, making the score 2-0. Bethani Newbold perfectly placed a single into left field, allowing L. Hafner to score. Later in the inning, Kayla Bright singled through the right side, allowing Newbold to score and give NDMU a 4-1 lead.
NDMU looked to tack on another run in the second inning. Anabelle Hafner smacked a double into left center field and then stole third to put herself in scoring position. A. Hafner would capitalize on a wild pitch, plating the Gators fifth run of the inning. The four-run lead was plenty for Je. Leatherwood who was in complete control of the game. Je. Leatherwood pitched 5.0 innings, only allowed one run on one hit while striking out seven Highlanders' batters.
The Gators continued to grow their lead, scoring again in the fourth inning. Malorie Gogel walked, advanced to third and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Later in the inning Ju. Leatherwood drove in A. Hafner, reaching base with a fielder's choice. In the fifth inning, NDMU saw an opportunity to close out the game by scoring two more runs. L. Hafner drew a walk and Makayla Lopez singled to put a pair of runners on base. Both runners advanced into scoring position with L. Hafner scoring on a wild pitch. Eleanor Flores closed out the victory, lifting a sacrifice fly into center field that allowed Lopez to tag up and score.
GAME 2
NDMU raced out to a commanding lead early in game two of the doubleheader. A. Hafner led off the inning by smacking a single up the middle and then stealing second and third to move into scoring position. Ju. Leatherwood drew a walk and then on a ground ball hit by Je. Leatherwood, A. Hafner scored to put the Gators ahead 1-0. Torres continued the rally taking a single to the opposite field allowing Ju. Leatherwood to score. The Gators loaded the bases and Lopez hit a hard grounder that allowed the fourth run of the inning to score.
The Gators remained hot, scoring more runs in the second inning. A. Hafner started the inning by drawing a walk, stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Ju. Leatherwood drew a walk immediately, stealing second base and drawing a throw that allowed A. Hafner to score. Once again NDMU loaded the bases for Lopez and this time she blasted a single off the Highlanders pitcher allowing a fifth run to score. Gena Donalds then reached base on an error, making the score 6-0.
Donalds had another strong outing, keeping the Highlanders' offense off-balance throughout her 6.0 innings of action. She allowed three hits, striking out two in the process.
NDMU looked to close out the game in the sixth inning. Lopez, Donalds and Gogel each drew a walk to load the bases with only one out in the inning. A. Hafner drove a single into left field, scoring the seventh run of the game. Scarlett Miller put an exclamation point on the victory driving a single up the middle that allowed the eighth and final run to score, earning NDMU the walk-off victory .
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators will continue United East play when they travel to face Clarks Summit University on Saturday, Apr. 13. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with NDMU Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @ndmgatorsports.
