(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The Skye Division opener was a success for the Wilson softball team as it swept Saint Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix finished off the first game in exciting walk-off fashion and brought out the bats to end the second via mercy rule.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 5, Saint Elizabeth 4
Game 2 – Wilson 12, Saint Elizabeth 2 (5 Innings)
Venue: Wilson Softball Field
Records: Wilson 9-5, 2-0 Skye; Saint Elizabeth 5-8, 0-2 Skye
How It Happened (Game 1)
- Wilson had to come from behind in the opener as the Eagles scored three runs in the first inning. The Phoenix finally started chipping away at the deficit in the fifth inning when Madison Heuer (Jr., Greencastle, Pa. / Boonsboro) brought in Caitlin Oliviero (FY, Wernersville, Pa. / Conrad Weiser) on a groundout. One inning later, Wilson was able to take the lead with three runs sparked by a Taylor Barker (Sr., Chehalis, Wash. / WF West) base hit up the middle to bring in Payton Kendall (Jr., McConnellsburg, Pa. / Forbes Road).
- Two batters later, Alyssa Wenger (Sr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored Haiden Brookens (Sr., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Magnet). While Brookens was advancing home, she collided with the catcher which caused the center fielder's throw to be errant and allowed Barker to score from third for the go-ahead run.
- The Eagles were able to tie the game with an RBI base hit to right in the top of the seventh, but the Phoenix were able to punch out the potential go-ahead run as Heuer hit Barker for the relay to Kiera O'Brine (FY, Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) who put on the tag.
- Heuer ended up being pivotal in the bottom of the frame as she got on base with a single to left center, advanced on a sacrifice, and moved to third on a wild pitch. She scored on base hit by Kendall for the walk-off win.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- It didn't take long for Wilson to set the tone for the nightcap as it scored four in first. All of it came with two outs and started with a Barker base infield base hit to bring in Lindsey Dalenberg (FY, Niles, Mich. / Edwardsburg). The Phoenix proceeded to load the bases which set up Haley Privett (Sr., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Magnet) to clear them on a deep double down the left field line to score Barker, Madison Briggs (So., Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain), and Wenger.
- Brookens added an RBI single to score Heuer in the second for a 5-0 lead. Although the Eagles scored a pair in the third, Wilson kept the pressure on with another four-spot in the bottom of the frame. Dalenberg brought in Emma-Leigh Gillingham (FY, Gettysburg, Pa. / Gettysburg) before Kendall added another bases-loaded, bases-clearing double to score Dalenberg, O'Brine, and Wenger.
- The final touches came in the fourth with three runs. Wenger tripled in Oliviero and scored on a pinch hit single by Waverly Moffett (FY, Westminster, Md. / Winter Mill). Moffett scored on a pinch hit single by Addyson Stewart (So., Felton, Del. / Lake Forest) and an Eagles error to close the scoring.
Inside The Numbers
- Rylee Piper (FY, Newville, Pa. / Big Spring) was the winning pitcher in both contests for the Phoenix. She came on in relief in Game 1 and allowed one run on six hits and a walk through 6.1 innings of work. She started Game 2 and allowed two unearned runs on four hits in 3.0 innings of work to get the win in the shortened five inning contest.
- Brookens, Dalenberg, Barker, and Wenger all had multiple-hit games for the Blue and White.
- The Phoenix featured 10 players combining for 13 hits in Game 2. It's the third-most in a single game this season behind 14 against Albion and 15 against Albright.
- The dozen runs are tied for the second-most in a game this season. Wilson also scored 12 in a one-run win against NJCU over spring break. The Phoenix season-best is 13 in a shutout win over Gallaudet.
Up Next
The Phoenix hit the road for their next six games. First up is a trip down I-81 and I-70 to take on Hood on Monday. First pitch with the Blazers is set for 3 p.m.
