CLERMONT, Fla.—The Allegheny College softball team took the fields for their third day of competition at the 2017 Spring Games in Clermont, Fla.
The Gators fell to Hope College 7-2 in game one but bounced back with a dramatic 7-6 eight inning win over Thomas College in game two.
GAME ONE
After a scoreless first, the Gators put the first mark on the scoreboard in the top of the second.
Jessica Zavolta led off the inning with a single through the right side and moved to second on a bunt by
Abrianna Sadler. After
Samantha Valera moved the runners up with a sac bunt,
Kaitlyn Campbell brought Sadler across home for the first run.
The Flying Dutchwomen answered in the bottom of the second, scoring four runs to take the lead.
Blinkiewicz made up some ground in the top of the third, blasting a shot over the left field fence to narrow the lead to 4-2. The homerun marked the first for the Gators in the 2017 season.
The game turned into a pticher's duel the next couple innings as neither team crossed the plate again until the sixth. The Flying Dutchwomen strung together hits to add three runs in the bottom of the frame to extend the lead to 7-2.
Sadler earned a walk to lead off the seventh inning. Valera then moved Sadler along the base path on a groundout to the third baseman. However, Hope collected the final two outs to pick up the win.
Blinkiewicz led the Gators offense, going 2-of-3 with a homerun and a single. Campbell also went 2-of-3 from the plate with a RBI. Zavolta had a hit and a run while Sadler also had a hit.
Allison Cabo got the start on the mound for the Gators. She allowed eight hits and four earned runs while striking out five.
GAME TWO
The Terriers got on the board first, scoring a run in the top of the third. In the fourth, they strung hits together to bring five across the plate and move ahead to a 6-0 lead.
The Gators got to work in the bottom of the fourth. With
Taylor Massart aboard via a fielder's choice, Zavolta was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second.
Arissa Spitalny came in to pinch run for Zavolta. The runners moved to up on a
Megan Hazlett groundout, which set up Sadler to bring the pair home on a double down the left field line, bringing the score to 6-2.
With one out in the fifth, Blinkiewicz singled down the middle.
Jessica Gordon then reach first on an error, moving Blinkiewicz into scoring position.
Jessica Valerino followed up with a single to left field, bringing Blinkiewicz home. Zavolta earned a walk to load the bases.
Megan Hazlett then hit a pop up that landed just in fair territory in right field, bringing Gordon and Valerino home and taking Zavolta to third. The rally continued as Sadler singled down the middle, bringing Zavolta home and tying the game at six.
The Gators defense held behind
Kala Mahen to keep the game tied at six heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Valerino earned a walk to lead the inning off, with Valera coming in to run for her. Massart followed up with a single down the middle to put Valera in scoring position. However, the Terriers kept the Gators off the board to force extra innings.
Mahen continued to pitch well in the eighth, striking out two looking to keep the game tied.
In the bottom of the frame, Sadler started on second base via the international tiebreaker rule.
Rachel Ramsey moved Sadler to third on a sac bunt.
Sarah Rogan then provided the heroics. On the second pitch of her at bat, Rogan hit a sacrifice fly, bringing Sadler home and giving the Gators the extra inning win.
Sadler led the Gator offense, going 2-of-4 with three RBI and a run. Massart also had a pair of hits with a run. Hazlett drove in two runs on one hit. Valerino had a hit, a RBI and a run while Blinkiewicz and Zavolta finished with a hit and a run apiece. Gordon and Spitalny also had runs while Rogan provided the game winning RBI.
Miranda Arison started the game on the mound for the Gators, striking out seven over 3.2 innings. Mahen collected the win, going 4.1 innings, allowing one hit while fanning six.
The Gators are back in action Wednesday (March 22), facing Luther College and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
