(STAUNTON, Va.) – A
Katelyn Keller (FY, Orrtana, Pa. / Gettysburg) grand slam helped Wilson split a twin bill with Mary Baldwin to cap its spring break on Friday afternoon. The first year standout left the yard with the bases juiced in the second inning of the second game to put the Phoenix in front 7-3. She added two more RBIs to help the Blue and White defeat the Fighting Squirrels by four.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 5, Mary Baldwin 6
Game 2 – Wilson11, Mary Baldwin 7
Venue: Mary Baldwin Softball Field
Records: Wilson 5-5, Mary Baldwin 7-3
How It Happened (Game 1)
- Keller started her big day by getting Wilson on the scoreboard first with a base hit to score Waverly Moffett (So., Westminster, Md. / Winters Mill) in the top of the third. The Squirrels were able to respond with a two-run homer in the bottom of the frame to take the lead.
- The score remained stagnant until the Phoenix rallied for four runs in the top of the sixth. Keller led off the frame with a base hit before Kayla Talbert (So., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown / Saint Peter's) left the park for her first home run of the season. After Carleigh Magers (FY, Mount Airy, Md. / Urbana) reached on a fielder's choice, Jenna Weaver (FY, Camp Hill, Pa. / Cedar Cliff) brought her in with a triple. Weaver later scored on a sac fly by Moffett to set the score at 5-2.
- Mary Baldwin had the last word and started its comeback with a double and a home run to start the bottom of the seventh. After loading the bases, Allison Crum hit one run in to tie the game before Hadley May took a bases loaded base on balls for the walk-off win.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- The Phoenix got off to a hot start with consecutive base hits by Lindsey Dalenberg (So., Niles, Mich. / Edwardsburg), Emily Randalls (FY, Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern York), and Keller with Keller bringing in Dalenberg for an early lead. Talbert followed up by bringing in Randalls and Keller on the next play. The Squirrels were quick to return the favor, however, as they tied it up with a pair of doubles, two walks, and a passed ball in the bottom half.
- Wilson was able to stay hot and quickly loaded the bases on a Samantha Rybacki (FY, Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg) base hit, an error that allowed Dalenberg to reach, and a walk to Randalls. That set up Keller who took the first pitch to dead center for her first round trip of the season. Keller helped pad Wilson's lead by hitting a triple before scoring on a single by Talbert to make the score 8-3 in the top of the fourth.
- Mary Baldwin added one in the fourth on a bases loaded walk, but the Phoenix picked things up once again in the sixth. Sure enough, it was Keller who sparked the rally with a lead-off walk and a steal of second. Sydney Hartle (FY, Keedysville, Md. / Boonsboro) followed with a double to allow her to score, while Hartle eventually scored on Weaver base hit.
- The Squirrels came back with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Randalls and Keller provided an insurance run in the top of the seventh. After Randalls reached second on an error in the outfield, Keller quickly brought her home with a triple. Mary Baldwin led off the bottom with a walk, but was retired in order afterwards to end the game.
Inside The Numbers
- Keller's monster day saw her go a combined 6-for-8 with seven RBIs and five runs scored. Six RBIs and four runs came in the nightcap alone where she went 4-for-4 with a home run and two triples, just a double short of the cycle.
- Talbert also had a busy day as she brought in five runs with a pair of hits and a walk.
- Elena Worthington (So., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg) was tabbed as the winning pitcher for Game 2, elevating her record to 2-1 on the season.
Up Next
Wilson will head to Huntingdon to take on Juniata for a midweek twin bill on Wednesday. First pitch with the Eagles is set for 3 p.m.
