Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Spring break got off to a super start for the Wilson softball team as it swept Gallaudet on Friday in the nation's capital. The Phoenix ended the opener early with a mercy rule finish before pulling away from a 3-3 tie to take the win in the nightcap.
The Basic
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 13, Gallaudet 0 (5 inn.)
Game 2 – Wilson 8, Gallaudet 4
Venue: GU Softball Complex
Records: Wilson 2-0, Gallaudet 0-2
How It Happened (Game 1)
- The Phoenix bats didn't take long to warm up as they belted three hits and took advantage of an error for a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Madison Briggs (So., Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain) knocked in the first run with a triple to right that brought in Haiden Brookens (Sr., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Magnet) after she reached on an infield single. One batter later, Haley Privett (Sr., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Magnet) singled to center to bring in Briggs.
- The flood gates opened one inning later. Briggs started the scoring once again with a sacrifice fly to left field to score Kiera O'Brian (FY, Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) who opened the frame with a walk. Bison miscues then helped the Blue and White score two more runs as Alyssa Wenger (Sr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) and Brookens circled around the base paths. Riley Henry (Jr., Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle) kept the inning churning with a single to left center to score Privet and scored one batter later following an error. O'Brian followed soon after and made the score 8-0 with a single through the left side to score Madison Heuer (Jr., Greencastle, Pa. / Boonsboro).
- Offense took a pause for an inning before restarting again in the fifth inning. After a bases-loaded walk was issued to Addyson Stewart (So., Felton, Del. / Lake Forest) for the first run, Wenger doubled to left center to score Lindsey Dalenberg (FY, Niles, Mich. / Edwardsburg) and Payton Kendall (Jr., McConnellsburg, Pa. / Forbes Road) for an 11-0 lead. Stewart later scored on a passed ball while Wenger reached home on another Bison error.
Inside The Numbers
- Paige Dill (So., New Oxford, Pa. / New Oxford) recorded the win with a masterful performance where she struck out seven and scattered just two hits with one walk in the shutout. She didn't allow a hit in the final three innings.
- Wilson banged out 10 hits from seven different players in the opener. Wenger did the most damage as she went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. Brookens and Dalenberg also went 2-for-4 on in the opener.
- Briggs went 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI and a run scored.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- The game was tight through the first four frames as both teams were tied at 3-3. That changed in the fifth as Wilson put up a five-spot to put the pressure on the Bison. O'Brian sparked the rally as a pinch runner as she stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw to the outfield. She eventually scored on a passed ball. Brookens proceeded to make it 5-3 on a squeeze play that scored Taylor Barker (Sr., Chehalis, Wash. / WF West). Brookens and Barker later scored on an error that would have ended the inning to make the score 7-3. Emma-Leigh Gillingham (FY, Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) posted the final run as she scored on a wild pitch as a pinch runner. O'Brian was close to adding another pair of runs with a hard hit to right center, but an incredible diving catch by Gallaudet's center fielder ended the top half inning.
- The Bison were able to get one back in the bottom of the frame on a walk, wild pitch, and a pair of ground outs. The hosts did get a runner into scoring position in the sixth, but a line out double play to second base ended the threat. Gallaudet had additional opportunities in the seventh by getting a runner on second early, but a pop fly to short stop and a strikeout with two runners on closed the game for the Phoenix.
Up Next
The Phoenix will head south from D.C. en route to North Myrtle Beach for the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic where they will play seven games in four days. First up will be a single game against North Carolina Wesleyan on Saturday. First pitch with the Bishops is set for 4 p.m.
