(OWINGS MILLS, Md.) – The Wilson softball team picked up a pair of big wins as it swept Notre Dame in doubleheader between two of the top teams in the United East on Tuesday. The Phoenix rallied to score two in the seventh and win Game 1 by just as much before putting up a four-spot in Game 2 to help pave the way for a comfortable win.
The Basics
Scores: Game 1 – Wilson 7, Notre Dame 5
Game 2 – Wilson 8, Notre Game 1
Venue: Weinberg-Fine Stadium
Records: Wilson 17-7-1, 6-0 UE; Notre Dame with 7-10, 4-3 UE
How It Happened (Game 1)
- The opener was a see-saw affair with Wilson pulling out late game heroics to take the win. Notre Dame got on the board first with a run in the first before Wilson answered with a pair in the second. Sydney Hartle (So., Keedysville, Md. / Boonsboro) pulled the Phoenix even at 1-1 after she took advantage of an infield error. She led off the frame with a double to left. Jenna Weaver (So., Camp Hill, Pa. / Cedar Cliff) then put Wilson ahead with a base hit to left to score Samantha Rybacki (So., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg).
- The Gators fought back and scored a pair on two hits in the bottom of the third. They threatened more, but the Phoenix were able to get out of the jam and leave two Gators stranded. Another infield error helped Wilson get square at 3-3 as Kayla Talbert (Jr., Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown / Saint Peter's) scored.
- Notre Dame also took advantage of a miscue by the Phoenix with a pair of runsin the bottom of the fourth to make it 5-3. The lead didn't last long as Wilson quickly tied it with Emily Randalls (So., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern York) and Kiera O'Brine (Jr., Dillsburg, Pa. / Northern) scoring on another infield Gators error.
- By the time the seventh came around, the Wilson bats were a well-oiled machine. Hartle doubled to left center to immediately get the Phoenix into scoring position. Talbert got on base with a base hit before Addison Woods (FY, North East, Md. / Tome School) loaded the bases after getting hit by a pitch. That set up Rybacki who brought in Hartle and Talbert on a double to right. Rylee Piper (Jr., Newville, Pa. / Big Spring) retired the Gators in order in the bottom of the frame to secure the win.
How It Happened (Game 2)
- It didn't take long for the Phoenix to get going in the nightcap as they plated four runs in the second inning. Madison Briggs (Sr., Lock Haven, Pa. / Central Mountain) brought in the first run as Talbert scored on a ground out. O'Brine then brought in Rybacki two batters later on a single to left. Randalls followed up with a base hit to center that allowed Weaver and O'Brine to come in.
- Briggs hit in Talbert for a 5-0 lead in the third and Hartle made it 6-0 by knocking in Randalls one inning later. Notre Dame avoided the shutout with a run in the sixth, but Wilson got it back in the seventh as Briggs hit in Talbert once again and Weaver hit a single to left to score Rybacki.
Inside The Numbers
- O'Brine and Rybacki both had four hits on the day with O'Brine providing a three-hit game in the nightcap.
- Talbert was busy on the base paths as she scored five runs between the two games. Three came in Game 2 where three of her four walks came.
- Julia Wilkes (So., Abingdon, Md. / John Carroll) was impressive in Game 2 where she improved to 5-1 with the win. She allowed just one run on three hits with five strikeouts.
Up Next
The Phoenix head to Phoenixville for a twin bill against Valley Forge on Saturday. First pitch with the Patriots is set for 12 p.m.
