(NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.) – Three days into the season and the Wilson softball team continues to fire on all cylinders as it swept the Sunday contests with convincing wins over Vermont State Johnson and Massachusetts Maritime. The Phoenix opened up the day with their fourth mercy-ruled contest in a row by taking down the Badgers in five innings before blasting the Buccaneers in a meeting of previously unbeaten teams.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 12, Vermont State Johnson 4 (5 Innings)
Game 2 – Wilson 9, Massachusetts Maritime 1
Venue: NMB Sports Complex
Records: Wilson 6-0, Vermont State Johnson 0-5, Massachusetts Maritime 4-1
How It Happened (Game 1)
- Wilson had to overcome a fast 2-0 start by the Badgers as the designated home team scored its early pair after a leadoff triple, a passed ball, and a sacrifice fly after loading the bases. The Phoenix didn't get on the board until the third after Caitlin Oliviero (Jr., Wernersville, Pa. / Conrad Weiser) sparked some life with a leadoff single and eventually scoring on a wild pitch. One inning later, Oliviero tied the game on a fielder's choice that brought in Rylee Piper (Jr., Newville, Pa. / Big Spring). Two batters later, Kiera O'Brine (Jr., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) scored both her and Addison Woods (FY, North East, Md. / Tome School) on a double. A couple of errors allowed Wilson to make it 6-2 as Katelyn Keller (So., Orrtanna, Pa. / Gettysburg) and O'Brine circled around later in the frame.
- Vermont State Johnson got one back in the fourth, but the Phoenix made sure not to lose any momentum with six more in the fifth. Elena Worthington (Jr., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg), Julie Burger (FY, Baltimore, Md. / Dundalk), O'Brine, Woods, Emily Randalls (So., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern York) and Kayla Talbert (Jr., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown / Saint Peter's) all scored to make it a 12-3 game. Johnson another in the bottom half, but left a runner stranded to end the game in five.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- The Phoenix's bats remained on fire as they posted six runs in the top of the first against Massachusetts Maritime. O'Brine set the tone with a leadoff double down the left field line and eventually scored on a Talbert liner the same way that also brought in Randalls. Madison Briggs (Sr., Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain) followed up with a base hit through the right side to score Keller. A wild pitch allowed Talbert to come home and make it 4-0 before Sydney Hartle (So., Keedysville, Md. / Boonsboro) capped the scoring with a triple.
- After the Buccaneers got on the board in the second thanks to an error, scoring resumed in the fifth as extra base hits continued for the Blue and White. Keller provided the first with a triple and scored easily as Talbert trailed her with a double to left center. Talbert ended up at home on a Jenna Weaver (So., Camp Hill, Pa. / Cedar Cliff) hit to right. Keller wasn't finished as the speedy sophomore added another three-bagger to lead off the seventh and scored on a Talbert sacrifice fly.
Inside The Numbers
- Samantha Rybacki (So., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg) recorded the win in the opener after striking out five and allowing one run in two innings. She is now 2-0 on the season.
- Elena Worthington (Jr., Shippensburg, Pa. / Shippensburg) went the distance in Game 2 and was masterful. She allowed just one run unearned on three hits with a pair of strikeouts. She too is 2-0 on the season.
- Talbert had multiple-hit games in both contests and drove in seven runs while scoring three. Two of her hits went for extra bases.
- Keller was perfect at the plate against Massachusetts Maritime as she went 4-for-4 with two triples. She now has three on the season and is now the active career leader for triples with 15.
