The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team (37-3-1, 21-1 ODAC) defeated #8 Seed Averett 9-1 and #4 Seed Lynchburg 2-1 on day one of the ODAC Championship Tournament.
Game One:
Julia Piotrowski led the offense going 2-for-2, scored two runs, had one RBI, and stole two bases. Morgan Tucker was 1-for-3 with a double, scored one run, and had three RBI, and Samantha Deitsch was 2-for-3, scored two runs, and stole two bases.
Lauren Bible got the win, as she pitched 3.0 innings, allowed two hits, one run, and had two strikeouts, and teammate Hannah Hearl came in relief pitched 2.0 innings, allowed one hit, zero runs, and had one strikeout.
Virginia Wesleyan got on the board early in the bottom of the first inning. After a bunt single and a stolen base by Julia Piotrowski, Laci Campbell singled to put runners at the corners. Another stolen base moved Campbell into scoring position, and although the Marlins couldn't bring her home with the next two at-bats, a walk to Mackenzie Myers followed by a wild pitch allowed Piotrowski to score the game's first run, giving VWU a 1-0 lead.
The Marlins added to their lead in the second. Samantha Deitsch led off with a single and quickly stole second. After an out, Alexis Hudgens drove a base hit through the left side, moving Deitsch to third. Hudgens followed with a stolen base, putting two in scoring position. Sarah Prosser then hit a fielder's choice that allowed Deitsch to score, and Piotrowski singled up the middle to bring in Hudgens, extending the lead to 3-0.
The Cougars managed to score in the top of the third inning to gain some momentum and bring the score to 3-1.
In the bottom of the fourth, VWU broke the game open. After a walk to Haley Sadler and some aggressive base running from pinch runner Jenna Laird, the Marlins quickly had runners in scoring position again. Prosser delivered an RBI single to bring in Laird, and after another walk, the bases were loaded. A big moment came when Morgan Tucker blasted a three-run double to center field, clearing the bases. Tucker would later come around to score on a throwing error, capping a five-run inning and making it 8-1.
VWU added one more in the fifth to secure the run-rule victory. Deitsch and Sadler both singled and pulled off a double steal. Hudgens dropped down a bunt single to score Deitsch from third, making it 9-1 and ending the game early.
Game Two:
Morgan Tucker led the Marlins as she went 1-for-3 with a double, scored one run, and had one RBI, Mackenzie Myers was clutch as she was 1-for-3 and hit the game-winning RBI single to put VWU up 2-1, and Haley Sadler was 2-for-3 at bat.
Lauren Bible got her second win of the day pitched 7.0 innings, allowed three hits, one earned runs, and recorded two strikeouts.
The Hornets got on the board first in the top of the first inning to put pressure on the Marlins offense.
The Marlins got on the board in the third inning. After an error allowed Sarah Prosser to reach, Julia Piotrowski singled and stole second to put runners in scoring position. A walk to Laci Campbell loaded the bases, and Morgan Tucker reached on a fielder's choice that brought in the first run of the game, with Prosser scoring unearned.
In the fifth, VWU broke the 1-1 tie. With two outs, Morgan Tucker laced a double to right center, and Mackenzie Myers followed with an RBI single, advancing to second on the throw as Tucker scored. That run gave the Marlins a 2-1 lead and some good defense and stellar pitching sealed the 2-1 win over the Hornets.
