(NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) – Weather delayed the start of Wilson's pair of spring break games until the afternoon and evening on Monday. The Phoenix opened up by falling to Ithaca before having their comeback attempt come up short against the Mississippi University for Women in their first true night game of the season.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 0, Ithaca 5
Game 2 – Wilson 4, Mississippi Univ. for Women 7
Venue: North Myrtle Beach Parks & Sports Complex
Records: Wilson 1-7, Ithaca 2-1, Mississippi Univ. for Women 9-3
How It Happened (Game 1 vs. Ithaca)
- Ithaca initially got on the board with an RBI double to center in the first inning. The Bombers added to their lead as another pair of extra base hits brought in three more runs. They eventually made it 5-0 with a sac fly in the fifth.
- Wilson threatened in the top of the sixth as Haiden Brookens (Jr., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Magnet) was issued a walk and Riley Henry (So., Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle) followed with a base hit, but they couldn't get any further and left stranded. Klarissa Miley (Fy., Spring Run, Pa. / Fannett Metal) added a base hit to center field in the seventh, but she too was left on the base paths as Ithaca retired the next two batters to end the game.
How It Happened (Game 2 vs. Mississippi Univ. for Women)
- The Owls opened up a 6-0 lead after posting three runs in the second and fourth innings, but the Phoenix would start their comeback rally in the bottom of the fourth with a pair of runs to answer. Brookens led off by reaching first on an infield error and eventually reached third on a ground out and a single by Alecia Hamilton (Sr., Canton, Ohio / GlenOak). One batter later, Ashley Stevens (So., Valencia, Calif. / Valencia) singled Brookens in for the first run. After a wild pitch moved the runners up, Marina Monsalve (Sr., Corona, Calif. / Centennial) hit in Hamilton to make the score 6-2.
- Mississippi added another run in the top of the fifth, but the Phoenix would get it back during the bottom of the frame. Kaesey Greene (Sr., Taneytown, Md. / Francis Scott Key) led off with a double and moved up to third as Alyssa Wenger (Jr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) reached on an error. Brookens followed up with a sac fly to center to cut the deficit back down to four at 7-3.
- Wilson continued its rally in the sixth as a pair of walks to Hamilton and Stevens started the bottom half. A fielder's choice retired Hamilton, but the Phoenix still threatened with Makenna Snodgrass (Sr., Flagstaff, Ariz. / Flagstaff) now on base. Wilson proceeded to load the bases as Hannah Lyons (Jr., Dover, Del. / Dover) reached on a base hit before Greene brought in Stevens on a ground out.
- Brookens continued to give the Phoenix life in the seventh with a single and moved up to second on a ground out, but the rally ended there as the next batter was retired.
Inside The Numbers
- Brookens had a solid day as she went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Along with her walk in the opener, Brookens has now reached safely in three of the last four games.
- Snodgrass entered the circle in relief to pitch the final two innings against the Owls. She was nearly perfect as she fanned four of the six batters faced with just one hit allowed.
Up Next
It will be short rest for the Phoenix as they will be up early for a pair of morning games. Wilson will start off with Curry at 9 before taking on Stevenson immediately after at 11.
