(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Entering Monday, Wilson needed to sweep Notre Dame and receive some help in order to qualify for the postseason and keep the season going. The Phoenix did their part by defeating the Gatos in both games. Shortly after the end of Game 2, they found out they earned the final spot in CSAC Championship tournament.
THE BASICS
Score: Game 1 - Wilson 5, Notre Dame 1
Game 2 - Wilson 9, Notre Dame 3
Venue: Kris's Meadow
Records: Wilson 12-22, 6-10 CSAC; Notre Dame 14-17, 6-10 CSAC
How It Happened (Game 1)
- The Phoenix got the scoring started with a four-spot in the third inning. With the bases loaded, Riley Henry (So., Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle) was hit by a pitch to bring in Ashley Stevens (So., Valencia, Calif. / Valencia). A walk to Alecia Hamilton (Sr., Canton, Ohio / GlenOak) made it 2-0 before Kaesey Greene (Sr., Taneytown, Md. / Francis Scott Key) lined one up the middle to score Haiden Brookens (Jr., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Magnet) and Henry.
- One inning later, Wilson took advantage of an error by the Gators' catcher to make it 5-0. Alyssa Wenger (Jr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) singled to right to put the play in motion, and as the outfielder threw home to cut off the runner, the catcher couldn't keep control and the ball bounced away to allow Madison Briggs (Fy., Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain) to score from third.
- The Gators used a pair of base hits and a stolen base to break the shutout in the top of the fifth, but that was all the damage they could do as Madison Knerr (Fy., Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) tossed a complete game gem. She allowed the one run on five hits and a walk while striking out five to improve to 1-2 on the season.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- With one game down and knowing they needed to take both, the Phoenix wasted little time getting a head up on Notre Dame. They scored in each of the first four innings and held off a late charge by the Gators at the end. Four runs came in the first and all were scored with two outs. A Brookens walk and a single by Wenger set up Henry who doubled to left field to clear the bases. Hamilton followed with a double of her own down the left field line to make it 3-0 and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
- A wild pitch also led to a solo run in the second. Addyson Stewart (Fy., Felton, Del. / Lake Forest) was the benefactor after originally reaching on a walk.
- Briggs charged the offense with a double to center in the third inning. Knerr pinch ran for her and moved to third on a wild pitch before she scored on a slap hit up the middle by Greene.
- Wilson made it 7-0 in the fourth as Brookens reached third on an infield error that was overthrown. Wenger followed up with a sac fly to center.
- Notre Dame mounted a comeback attempt with a solo run on two hits in the fifth and a two-run home run in the sixth, but Wilson was able to balanced that out with a pair of runs on its own in the bottom of the frame. Henry brought both runs in as she singled up the middle to score Brookens and Wenger.
Inside The Numbers
- Henry had quite the day to lead the Phoenix bats. In addition to scoring a run in the opener, she went 3-for-4 in Game 2 with four RBI and another run scored.
- Wenger went a combined 3-for-5 with two RBI, three runs scored, a double, and a walk.
- Makenna Snodgrass (Sr., Flagstaff, Ariz. / Flagstaff) started the nightcap and had one of her finest games of the season. She struck out six and allowed the three runs on five hits to improve to 2-4 on the year.
- Wilson was outhit 5-4 in Game 1, but the Phoenix doubled up the Gators on hits 10-5 in the nightcap. Seven different Phoenix combined for the 10 hits.
Up Next
The playoff field is now set and the Phoenix will head to fourth-seeded Keystone on Wednesday. The loser will be eliminated from the tournament while the winner advances to a four-team, double elimination bracket at top seeded Cedar Crest which begins Friday.
