(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Senior Day may not have started how Wilson liked as it fell to Mary Baldwin in Game 1 of a doubleheader, but it ended with jubilation in walk-off fashion in a thrilling Game 2 triumph.
Alyssa Wenger (Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg), Haiden Brookens (Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Magnet), Hannah Lyons (Dover, Del. / Dover), Taylor Barker (Chehalis, Wash. / WF West), and
Haley Privett (Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg Magnet) were all recognized before the opener against Fighting Squirrels, and Barker's impressive hitting display lifted the Phoenix to victory with a two-run homerun.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 4, Mary Baldwin 6
Game 2 – Wilson 9, Mary Baldwin 7
Venue: Wilson College Softball Field
Records: Wilson 13-7; Mary Baldwin 9-14
How it Happened (Game 1)
- After a scoreless first inning, Mary Baldwin scored two runs on a leadoff double followed by two RBI singles. Scoring was quiet until the Fighting Squirrels struck again in the top half of the fifth inning as Hadley May hit her second leadoff double of the game which led to a similar second inning that showcased two RBI singles, bringing the lead to four.
- The Phoenix began their comeback attempt in the bottom of the sixth inning when Wenger roped a single down the left field line. Lindsey Dalenberg (Fy., Niles, Mich. / Edwardsburg) reached with a bunt single followed by a Brookens base hit to create a bases-loaded situation. Barker put Wilson on the board after a sac fly to left field, moving every runner up a base while scoring Wenger. Payton Kendall (Jr., McConnellsburg, Pa. / Forbes Road) hit a sharp groundball to third base where the play netted two more runs. Privett continued the rally after a double to the right-center gap and brought home one more run to tie the game.
- Mary Baldwin tacked on two more runs in the top half of the seventh before shutting the door on a Phoenix comeback attempt in the bottom of the frame.
How it Happened (Game 2)
- Wilson started its hit parade with a Wenger single, an RBI double by Barker, and an RBI single by Riley Henry (Jr., Carlisle, Pa. / Carlisle) that plated Barker. After a 1-2-3 top half of the second, the Wilson bats remained hot as Ashley Stevens (Jr., Valencia, Calif. / Valencia) singled to left field. Heuer then singled to right field to knock in a run. After a wild pitch scored another run, Waverly Moffett (Fy., Westminster, Md. / C. Milton Wright) punched in a run after a double to center field. Barker continued the inning by lining one up the middle to extend the lead to six.
- The Fighting Squirrels tied the game in the fourth after plating six of their own, but Wilson broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth after Barker lifted a ball over the left-center field wall. Mary Baldwin executed a small ball strategy to knot the game up once again at seven.
- As the bottom of the seventh approached, the Phoenix bats stayed ablaze after Moffett singled down the left field line to put the winning run aboard. Barker then ended the Fighting Squirrels' comeback after she belted a no-doubt home run down the left field line as her second homer of the game was done in walk-off fashion.
Inside The Numbers
- Barker ended her day going 5-for-6 with six RBIs, a double, two home runs, and a sacrifice fly. Her five RBI game in the nightcap were a season-high.
- Dalenberg had a strong showing in Game 1, going 2-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored.
- Piper improved to a record of 7-2 after coming on in relief in Game 2.
Up Next
Wilson will return to action in a double header on Monday as they travel to Clarks Summit University to duel the Defenders in a Uniter East Skye Division match up.
