BALTIMORE– The Notre Dame of Maryland University softball team took one game from Clarks Summit University on Tuesday, Apr. 16. The Gators took game one 4-0 before falling in the nightcap by a score of 10-6.
GAME 1
The Gators struck first scoring in the top of the third inning. Anabelle Hafner led off the inning by smoking a ball over the Defenders center fielder, racing around the bases for a stand-up triple. Julianna Leatherwood rocketed a triple past the left fielder, hustling around the bases for a triple and driving in A. Hafner. Jessie Leatherwood hit a hard ground ball to shortstop, allowing Ju. Leatherwood to score and put the Gators ahead 2-0.
Two runs were plenty for starting pitcher Je. Leatherwood, who was spectacular in the circle. She shut the Defenders out, allowing only three hits while resetting her own single game strike out record by fanning 16 Defenders.
NDMU looked to add on some insurance runs late in the game. This time it was Je. Leatherwood who started a rally, driving a ball into the left center gap and hustling around the bases for a triple. Charlene Torres drove a ball through the left side for an RBI single, putting the Gators ahead 3-0. NDMU struck again in the fifth inning. Ju. Leatherwood doubled to center field and Je. Leatherwood singled to put runners on the corners. A wild pitch allowed Ju. Leatherwood to score. In the bottom of the inning, Je. Leatherwood struck out three Defenders to secure the 4-0 victory.
GAME 2
The Gators fell behind in game two as Clarks Summit plated three runs in the top of the first inning. NDMU answered back in the top of the second inning. Torres led off the inning by driving a single into left field. Bethani Newbold launched a line drive home run over the left field fence to make the score 3-2.
The Defenders took control of the game, plating six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 9-2 advantage. The Gators tried to climb back into the game in the top of the fifth inning. Bethany Steers led off the inning with a single into center field. Later in the inning with Kayla Bright on first base, A. Hafner ripped a ball into right field, capitalizing on a hole to in the Defenders defense to race around the base for an inside the park home run. Clarks Summit added one more run in the bottom of the fifth inning to make the score 10-4.
NDMU tried to rally back in the top of the seventh inning. Malorie Gogel led off by hammering a double into left field. She eventually scored off a ground ball hit by Bright. A. Hafner kept the rally going, hitting a single into left field and advancing to second off a throwing error. Ju. Leatherwood popped a single into center field, allowing Hafner to fly around the bases and score. The Gators would get two runners on base, but could not complete the rally, falling 10-6.
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators return home to face United East rival Wilson in a doubleheader on Thursday, Apr. 18. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
STAY CONNECTED
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