Phoenix, Ariz. – The Carroll College softball team fell 2-1 and 8-0 in a road double-header against Arizona Christian Friday at the Rose Mofford Softball Complex in Phoenix.
Megan Gipe allowed five hits and two runs in six innings pitched in the first game but the Saints offense could only muster one run in return and the Saints fell 2-1.
The two runs came in quick succession for the Firestorm. Brit Vanderdrink singled to set the table for Meaghan Nelson who hit a home run to score the only ACU runs of the game.
In the top of the seventh inning,
Maddie Jones hit a leadoff home run to cut the deficit to 2-1 but ACU pitcher Jackie Aguilar struck out the next three batters in order to close out the game.
The two pitchers were both stellar on the mound. Gipe struck out nine in six innings and Aguilar stuck out 14 in seven innings of work.
"We played a solid in game in number one," head coach
Aaron Jackson said. "We played good defense but struggled at the plate. The deference was one pitch that ACU put a good swing on. It was a good pitch but the batter just got around on time.
Maddie Jones had a big home run in the top of the 7th but we couldn't get over the hump."
In the second game, Arizona Christian pitchers combined for a four-hit shutout while the ACU offense caught fire for eight runs on eight hits and three untimely Carroll errors.
The Saints also struggled when they got baserunners. Carroll left eight runners on base including at least one baserunner in every inning.
"In game two we again had trouble capitalizing on the runners we got on. We got runners on and put them scoring position but we continue to struggle to get the timely hit," Jackson said. "It puts a lot of pressure on our defense and pitching when we don't capitalize on our opportunities."
The Saints gave up two runs in the second inning, one run in the third and five in the fifth to end the game on the run rule.
"Tomorrow is a new day and we continue to learn what it takes to win at this level," Jackson said. "If we stay the course the tide will turn and we will begin to see the right result."
The Saints play another double-header Saturday against ACU before continuing their spring break trip to face three teams in California.
The Saints begin play at 12 p.m. and
