BALTIMORE– The Notre Dame of Maryland University softball team battled Wilson College to a split on Thursday, Apr. 18. The Gators fell 3-2 in game one before rolling to a 7-2 victory in the nightcap.
GAME 1
The Gators roared out of the gate, taking an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Anabelle Hafner led off the inning by crushing a double over the center fielder. A. Hafner swiped third to move herself into scoring position. Julianna Leatherwood perfectly executed a squeeze play, reaching first with a bunt that allowed A. Hafner to score. Wilson answered back, plating a pair of runs in the top of the third inning to take a 2-1 lead.
The Gators got a strong pitching performance from starter Jessie Leatherwood who held the Phoenix to three total runs on five hits while striking out eight. NDMU leveled the score in the bottom of the fifth inning. A. Hafner blasted a solo home run over the left center field fence to swing momentum back to the Gators.
Wilson scored a run in the top of the seventh inning to retake the lead. The Gators tried to make one last push in the bottom of the inning putting a pair of runners on base, but they could not complete the comeback falling by a score of 3-2.
GAME 2
NDMU fell behind early in game two, as the Phoenix scored twice in the second inning to grab the lead. The Gators immediately answered back in the bottom of the inning. Bethani Newbold started the rally, lifting a single into left field. Malorie Gogel reached on a fielding error, putting a pair of runners on base. Kayla Bright singled up the middle allowing Newbold to race around the bases and score. NDMU leveled the score in the bottom of the third inning. A. Hafner reached on a fielding error and then stole second to put herself in scoring position. Charlene Torres brought A. Hafner home with an RBI single through the left side.
The Gators once again got another strong pitching performance, this time from Gogel who held the Wilson offense to two runs on 11 hits. NDMU took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Malorie Gogel led off the inning with a single to shortstop and then Bright drove a single into right field, putting runners on the corners. Eleanor Flores came through with a single to second base, allowing Gogel to score, giving NDMU the 3-2 lead.
NDMU pulled away in the bottom of the fifth inning. Je. Leatherwood started the rally, blasting a single into right center field. She eventually advanced to third on a wild pitch, putting herself in scoring position. Newbold drove a single through the left side, allowing Je. Leatherwood to score. Makayla Lopez kept the rally going, reaching on an error to put a pair of runners on base. Gogel put a ball into play and in the chaos of an error on the play, two runners scored and Gogel advanced to third. Bright closed out the rally, lifting a sacrifice fly into center field allowing Gogel to score and give NDMU a 7-2 lead. The Gators held off a late rally by Wilson College, securing the victory.
WHO'S NEXT
The Gators continue their homestand, facing Rosemont College in a United East doubleheader on Saturday, Apr. 20. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM.
STAY CONNECTED
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