WOOSTER, Ohio – The Gators swept their second consecutive North Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader, topping Wooster 3-0 in the opener before coming back to win a wild 10-9 decision over the Fighting Scots in game two.
In game one, reigning NCAC Pitcher of the Week Caitlin Nealer earned her 20th career complete game shutout, scattering just four hits and strking out eight, while the nightcap saw the Gators come back from a three-run deficit in the sixth inning by scoring four runs over the final three frames to earn their second extra inning victory of the season.
After the sweep, Allegheny and Wooster both stand at 5-3 in the NCAC, while the Gators even their overall record to 9-0.In game one, the Gators posted all of the offense they needed in the top of the third, sending eight batters to the plate and scoring three runs. After
Caitlin Nealer reached on a fielder's choice,
Sadie Stuart and
Jaricka Simmerman hit back-to-back doubles to load the bases. Two batters later,
Taylor Massart hit a gap shot to left center to bring home Nealer and Stuart and make the score 2-0. Simmerman then closed out the scoring after crossing the plate on a passed ball to make it a three-run game.
The three runs were more than enough for Nealer, who was masterful throughout. After allowing just three base runners through the first five innings, she ran into a jam in the bottom of the sixth. The Fighting Scots began the inning with three of its first four batters singling to load the bases with one out. However, Nealer then got a strikeout and a pop up to escape the jam and keep the shutout in tact. She then retired the side in the bottom of the seventh, recording two strikeouts, to pick up the complete game victory and finish with a line of four hits, eight strikeouts, and two walks.
The Gator offense totaled seven hits in the opener, led by Massart and Stuart, who each went 2-for-4.
Allie Landowski added a double, while Nealer and Simmerman each singled.
Allegheny got off to a strong start in game two. With one out,
Alexis Ryan singled and Nealer walked, setting the stage for Stuart, who homered to right center to give the Gators an early 3-0 lead. It marked the senior's 20th career long ball, tying for third all-time in program history with 2013 graduate Stephanie Fort.
The Gators added onto the lead in the top of the third, sending eight batters to the plate and scoring three more times to go in front 6-0. Stuart walked and Simmerman singled with one out, before a Landowski grounder was thrown away, bringing home Stuart. Simmerman crossed the plate on a sacrifce fly by Massart, before
Stella Pratt, pinch running for Landowski, crossed the plate after a wild pitch for the Gators' third run of the frame.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Fighting Scots put together their first extended rally of the night cap, posting a pair of singles and a double to score two runs with none out. Gator pitcher
Miranda Arison worked out of the quagmire, however, posting a pair of strikeouts and inducing a groundout to end the inning without any further damage.
After the Gators went down in order in the top of the fifth, the Wooster offense stayed hot, using a double, triple, and two singles to score seven runs off of three Gators pitchers and take a 9-6 advantage heading into the sixth innings.
The Gators wouldn't go away, chipping away at the three-run deficit by scoring once in the top of the sixth. After Blinn led off the frame with a single to center,
Belle Mazurik was issued a one-out walk. Ryan followed by beating out an infield single to load the bases, before Nealer came through with an RBI groundout to short that made the score 9-7.
On in relief, Nealer set the Fighting Scots down in order of the bottom of the sixth, and the Allegheny offense went back to work. Simmermann and Landowski hit consecutive singles to load the frame, before Blinn's third hit of the game brought home Simmerman and made the score 9-8. Pinch hitter
Jessica Zavolta then came through with a hard single up the middle to plate Landowski and tie the game at 9.
Nealer again set Wooster down in order in the bottom of the seventh, before the Gators manufactured the eventual winning run in the top of the eighth. Ryan led off the frame with a single, and was sacrificed to second on a bunt from Nealer. Simmerman then followed with her fourth hit of the day, lofting a single down the right field line to bring home Ryan and give Allegheny the 10-9 lead. Nealer followed by throwing her third consecutive perfect inning to seal the victory and give the Gators the sweep.
Allegheny pounded out 15 hits in the win, with seven different players filling the hit column. Simmerman led the way, going 4-for-5, while Ryan and Blinn each posted three hits. Landowski finished 2-for-5, while Stuart's homer, Zavolta's pinch hit, and Nealer's first inning single rounded out the 15-hit attack.
Arison started in the circle and worked three innings, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts.
Allison Cabo worked 1 2/3 innings before giving way to Nealer, who earned her fourth consecutive win by throwing 3 1/3 innings, posting a line of three runs, two hits, and four strikeouts. She retired the final 10 batters she faced in order.
The Gators will now have a quick turnaround, as they return to action on Thursday, Apr. 16, hosting Hiram College in a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader at The Robertson Athletic Complex.
