(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The softball season opened in spectacular fashion as Wilson swept Gallaudet thanks to an offensive explosion on Friday afternoon. The Phoenix combined for 22 runs, while six pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts and allowed just two runs for the Bison.
Both games were non-conference contests as both teams were starting the season. The Phoenix will now head south to North Myrtle Beach to
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 10, Gallaudet 1
Game 2 – Wilson 12, Gallaudet 1 (5 Innings)
Venue: Gallaudet Softball Field
Records: Wilson 2-0, Gallaudet 0-2
How It Happened (Game 1)
- The Phoenix's bats were consistent as they scored in all but one inning to race past the Bison. Jenna Weaver (So., Camp Hill, Pa. / Cedar Cliff) got the ball rolling as she scored in the first on a wild pitch. Elena Worthington (Jr., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg) added another in the second on a double down the left field line by Sydney Hartle (So., Keedysville, Md. / Boonsboro). Katelyn Keller (So., Orrtanna, Pa. / Gettysburg) then broke the game open with a three-run inside the park home run to make it 5-0 in the third.
- Emily Randalls (So., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern York) brought in another run in the top of the fourth on a bases-loaded walk, but the Bison were able to answer in the bottom of the frame as two hits and a sacrifice bunt led to their only run of the game. Wilson got didn't let up though, and added another pair in the fifth as Hannah Berger (FY, Rome, Pa. / Northeast Bradford) tripled down the right field line to score Kiera O'Brine (Jr., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) and scored shortly after on an Alaina Smith (FY, Bellefonte, Pa. / Bellefonte) base hit. Keller and Kayla Talbert (Jr., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown / Saint Peter's) led off the seventh and eventually scored two batters later on a Bison error.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- The Wilson bats remained on fire for the nightcap. O'Brine led off the scoring on a sacrifice fly by Addison Woods (FY, North East, Md. / Tome School) in the first. The flood gates opened in the second as the Blue and White went around the lineup for seven more runs. Alyssa Kennard (FY, Camden, Del. / Caesar Rodney), Hartle, O'Brine, Deanna Estes (So., West Grove, Pa. / Avon Grove), B Leedy (So., Fayetteville, Pa. / Chambersburg), Woods, and Madison Briggs (Sr., Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain) all scored during the frame.
- After a scoreless third, Gallaudet got a couple of hits together for its only run of Game 2. Once again, however, the Phoenix were not deterred and added four more runs in the fifth thanks to a Rylee Piper (Jr., Newville, Pa. / Big Spring) base hit to left to score Berger and Aliyah Masser (FY, Greencastle, Pa. / Greencastle-Antrim), a base hit up the middle to score Randalls, and a passed ball that scored Woods. Worthington entered the circle in relief on the bottom half of the frame and struck out three to end the game via mercy rule.
Inside The Numbers
- Julia Wilkes (So., Abingdon, Md. / John Carroll) was tabbed for the win in Game 1 after she pitched 3.0 innings of scoreless softball. She struck out six and allowed three hits with one walk.
- Kennard and Piper each tossed a pair in relief. Kennard punched out two while Piper fanned three.
- Samantha Ryback (So., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg) took the win in Game 2 with a pair of K's in a perfect pair of innings. Rebecca Fox (So., Hedgesville, W.Va. / Hedgesville) added another strikeout while Worthing closed the day with three strikeouts.
- Keller picked up where she left off last season with her 20th and 21st extra base hits of her career. The inside round trip was her sixth career home run.
- Fourteen different players scored runs and 12 recorded at least one hit. 18 reached base safely.
Up Next
Wilson will be back in action Saturday with a true twin bill against SUNY Delhi. First pitch with the Broncos is set for 2 p.m.
