The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team (32-3-1, 17-1 ODAC) split with non-conference rival CNU, falling in game one 9-4, and winning game two in comeback fashion in 9-7.
Game One:
Olivia Knight led the offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and a homer, scored two runs, and had two RBI, Samantha Deitsch was 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Morgan Tucker was 1-for-3 scored a run and stole a base.
Lauren Bible recorded her first loss of the season to move to 18-1, as she pitched 5.0 innings, allowed nine hits, nine runs, and had one strikeout.
The Captains got on the board first in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs to lead 3-0.
The Marlins made their first dent on the scoreboard at the top of the fourth as Olivia Knight sparked the offense with a double down the left field line. Julia Piotrowski followed by reaching on a fielder's choice, putting runners on the corners. Samantha Deitsch then delivered a single to right center, scoring Knight and cutting the lead to 3–1.
CNU score two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 5-1 lead heading into the fifth.
Virginia Wesleyan continued to chip away in the top of the fifth as Mackenzie Myers led off with a walk, and Morgan Tucker reached on a fielder's choice. With one on and two outs, Olivia Knight came through in a big way, launching a two-run homer to left field to bring the score to 5-3 at the end of the fifth.
In the top of the sixth, the Marlins added another run to close the gap even further. After a leadoff walk by Joslyn Woodard, Jenna Laird entered as a pinch runner. Alexis Hudgens grounded out to third, allowing Laird to move into scoring position. Then, with two outs, Sarah Prosser reached on a throwing error by the pitcher, which allowed Laird to score an unearned run to bring the score to 5-4. CNU pulled away in the sixth with a grand slam to seal the 9-4 win over VWU.
Game Two:
Morgan Tucker led the offense in game two going 3-for-4 with two doubles, and three RBI, Samantha Deitsch was 2-for-4 with a three-run homer to give VWU the lead in the seventh, scored two runs, and three RBI, and Mackenzie Myers was 1-for-3 with a home run, scored two runs, with two RBI.
Hannah Hearl started the game pitched 4.0 innings, allowed seven hits, and six runs, and tallied four strikeouts, and teammate Julia Piotrowski came in relief, pitched 3.0 innings, and got the win, allowed two hits, one run, and had three strikeouts.
CNU jumped ahead early with three runs in the bottom of the first and added three more in the bottom of the fourth to take a 6-0 lead. However, in the top of the fifth, Virginia Wesleyan's bats began to heat up as Samantha Deitsch led off with a single, and Mirandah Jenkins followed with one of her own. Then, Sarah Prosser kept the momentum going with another single to load the bases. A bases-loaded walk to Mackenzie Myers brought in the Marlins' first run of the game. With two outs, Morgan Tucker delivered the biggest hit of the inning, smacking a double down the left field line to clear the bases and bring Virginia Wesleyan within two, trailing 6–4.
The top of the seventh was a showcase of offensive firepower for Virginia Wesleyan. Mackenzie Myers led off the inning with a solo home run to center, trimming the lead to one. Moments later, Laci Campbell followed with a solo shot of her own to tie the game at 6–6. The pressure kept building as Morgan Tucker roped another double, and Jenna Laird came in to pinch run. After a foul out, Julia Piotrowski reached on a fielder's choice, putting runners at the corners. That set the stage for Samantha Deitsch, who capped off her stellar day with a clutch three-run homer to left field to give the Marlins a 9-6 lead. The Captains rallied in the bottom of the seventh scoring one run to bring the score to 9-7, but good pitching and solid defense sealed the win for VWU.
