(ROSEMONT, Pa.) – In a pivotal United East Skye Division softball matchup, Wilson split with Rosemont in a doubleheader on Thursday afternoon. The Phoenix slugged out a win in the opener with 15 hits, while the Ravens jumped out to an early lead in the second game and held on for the win.
Both teams remain at the top of the divisional standings with one doubleheader remaining for all teams. The regular season leader will host the Skye Division championship tournament which starts next Friday.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 6, Rosemont 4
Game 2 – Wilson 4, Rosemont 8
Venue: Ravens Athletic Complex
Records: Wilson 22-10, 11-3 Skye; Rosemont 12-16, 10-4 Skye
How It Happened (Game 1)
- As some might have expected going in, this contest was close throughout the day. A leadoff single and a pair of stolen bases set up the Ravens for the first scoring opportunity which paid off with a double for a 1-0 lead.
- Wilson countered in the top of the second as three consecutive base hits tied the game. Taylor Barker (Sr., Chehalis, Wash. / WF West) led off with a double, and after Payton Kendall's (Jr., McConnellsburg, Pa. / Forbes Road) base hit, Madison Briggs (So., Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain) hit Barker in to tie the game. One batter later Kendall scored on a base hit by Haley Privett (Sr., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Magnet).
- Timely hitting helped the Blue and White double their score in the third. Haiden Brookens (Sr., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Magnet) set the tone with a triple and was promptly brought in on a base hit by Barker. Barker eventually made her way to third on a Kendall sacrifice and a Briggs base hit before making it a 4-1 game.
- Rosemont was able to get back within two in the bottom of the third, but Wilson got it right back. Another triple, this time by Alyssa Wenger (Sr., Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg) set up the Phoenix and an infield error brought her in for a 5-2 advantage.
- The Ravens made another push in the bottom of the fifth. A double and an error put a runner on third, and after a base hit put runners on the corners, another double cleared them and made it a 5-4 game.
- Wilson scored an insurance run in the seventh to set the final score. Riley Henry (Jr., Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle) served as a pinch runner for Briggs who led off with a single. Two batters later an infield error allowed her to score.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- The nightcap was much different as the Ravens jumped out to an early lead. The hosts benefitted from four hits and an error to plate three runs. While Rosemont did bat around, the Phoenix did well to prevent further damage as they got out of a base-loaded jam. The Ravens did add another run, however, on another Wilson miscue in the bottom of the second for a 4-0 lead.
- Wilson threatened in the top of the fourth and eventually got on the scoreboard with a bases loaded walk issued to Privett brought in Lindsey Dalenberg (FY, Niles, Mich. / Edwardsburg). This time it was the Ravens that escaped further damage as Wilson left the bases full.
- It proved pivotal as Rosemont got the run back in the bottom half and then some. After all was said and done, a pair of extra-base hits, a walk and an error allowed the Ravens to take an 8-1 lead.
- Wilson managed to get back on the board with extra base hits of its own in the top of the fifth. Madison Heuer (Jr., Greencastle, Pa. / Boonsboro) and Wenger hit back-to-back triples while Dalenberg followed with a base hit to bring in Wenger. Wenger scored again on a Brookens base hit in the seventh, but Wilson was unable to get closer.
Inside The Numbers
- The Wilson bats were hot in the opener as six players had multiple-hit games. Briggs led the way as she blasted three hits and brought in a pair of runs.
- Barker's two hits were also a source of run production as she brought in one run and scored twice herself. Her hitting streak and her reached base streak both reached 25 games before coming to an end in Game 2.
- Dalenberg kept her streak alive and moved it to 12 games as she pounded out three hits. She added two RBI and a run scored.
- Rylee Piper (FY, Newville, Pa. / Big Spring) recorded the win in the opener after she tossed the first five frames. She improved to 12-3 with the victory. Elena Worthington (FY, Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg) relieved her in the sixth and allowed one hit and one walk the rest of the way for her first save of the year.
- After the split with Rosemont, Wilson remains in first place in the Skye Division standings by one game. Notre Dame and Keystone are both two games behind in a tie for third place. The Gators and Giants will play each other on Saturday, the Ravens will take on Valley Forge, and the Phoenix host Cedar Crest. All contests will have playoff implications.
Up Next
The Phoenix take on the Falcons on Saturday at 1 p.m. A sweep will secure hosting rights for next week's Skye Division championship tournament.
