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Box Score 2 (BALTIMORE, Md.) – Thursday featured a highly anticipated meeting between Wilson and Notre Dame, two teams at the top of the United East Skye Division standings. They showed why as the doubleheader was split with the Phoenix winning a close opening game before the Gators pulled away late in the second.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 3, Notre Dame 2
Game 2 – Wilson 2, Notre Dame 7
Venue: Weinberg-Fine Stadium
Records: Wilson 20-8, 9-1 Skye; Notre Dame 17-10, 8-2 Skye
How it Happened (Game 1)
- The Gators jumped out first after a leadoff double, a stolen base, and a single led to the hosts plating their first run. Notre Dame threatened to score more, but Piper was able to escape the first inning jam.
- Wilson answered in the top of the third as Kiera O'Brine (Fy., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) doubled to center field which led to a sac bunt by Madison Heuer (Jr., Greencastle, Pa. / Boonsboro). Alyssa Wenger (Sr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) kept the line moving after she laid down a bunt single with a steal of second. Lindsey Dalenberg (Fy., Niles, Mich. / Edwardsburg) found first base after she legged out a bunt single as well before Haiden Brookens (Sr., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Magnet) drew a walk to bring in the first run to knot the game. Barker followed up and got credit for driving in the second run after a walk of her own prior to the half inning ending.
- In the bottom of the fifth Notre Dame tied the game after a solo home run which set up a compelling seventh. It was highlighted by smart baserunning from the Phoenix after Taylor Barker (Sr., Chehalis, Wash. / WF West) roped a single up the middle. With two outs Barker stole second followed by a dropped third strike that put runners on the corner with two outs. The runners advanced after another wild pitch that plated Barker and allowed Waverly Moffett (Fy., Westminster, Md. Winter Mill) a trip to third.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- Scoring started in the second inning as Wilson scored a pair and threatened even more. With the bases loaded Dalenberg brought in O'Brine on an infield single before Brookens brought in another run after a base on balls.
- The Gators responded in the bottom half after an infield error kept the frame alive. The next batter made it sting as a single up the idle put Notre Dame on the board and cut the deficit to 2-1. Another miscue by the Phoenix allowed the Gators to tie the game in the third.
- Momentum remained with the Gators who were able to plate runs in the next two innings. Three consecutive base hits gave them a 3-2 lead un the fourth, and Notre Dame was able to break the game open in the fifth. Two hits and a wild pitch helped Notre Dame make it a 4-2 game. An error, base hit, and a sac fly added another pair of runs which set up the final score.
Inside The Numbers
- Both teams outhit the other in games they lost. Wilson managed only five hits in the opener compared to 10 by the Gators, but stealthy baserunning with five stolen bases helped be an equalizer. The Phoenix made more contact in Game 2 with 11 hits while Notre Dame added another 10.
- Rylee Piper (FY, Newville, Pa. / Big Spring) was dominant in the opener as she improved to 11-2 on the season. She allowed the two runs on 10 hits and struck out eight on the day, just one shy of matching her season-best.
- Dalenberg and Moffett both pounded out three hits on the day to lead the Wilson offense. Brookens joined the aforementioned with a pair of hits in Game 2 and added an RBI in both contests.
- Barker, O'Brine, and Heuer all had multiple hit days as well with base knocks in both games.
- Wenger finished with three stolen bases between both games. That moves her into fifth in the United East and third in the division.
Up Next
The gauntlet against the top teams in the Skye Division continues for the Phoenix who will have the weekend off before hosting Keystone on Tuesday. The Giants are fourth in the standings at 6-4 behind Rosemont and Notre Dame. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
