HELENA, Mont. – Carroll College softball relied on big innings to earn a road split in a doubleheader against conference opponent University of British Columbia, dropping the first game 5-4 but rebounding with a 12-8 victory.
In the first game, the Saints struggled in the early innings, giving up two runs in the first after a RBI single and walk. The Thunderbirds added one more in the second on a RBI single to give them a 3-0 lead after two innings.
UBC increased the lead in the third inning on a sac-fly to second base, scoring the runner on third and giving the Thunderbirds a 4-0 lead.
The Saints answered back with a big fourth inning, scoring four runs to tie the game.
Justine Taylor struck first with a double down the left field line, scoring pinch-runner
Destry McNellis.
Courtney Cloud grounded out to shortstop on the next at-bat, driving in
Tianna Sell to cut the lead to 4-2.
Taylor Ostwald came up to bat next, and hit her second home run of the season, this one a two RBI home run over the left field fence, scoring Taylor and tying the game at 4-4.
The game remained tied entering the seventh and final inning. The Saints went 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh.
With a runner on first and two outs in the bottom of the seventh for the Thunderbirds, Frances Ramsay drew the walk and advanced the runner to scoring position. Next batter up was Hillary Strelau who singled to left center, driving in the game-winning run and clinched the 5-4 victory for UBC.
Ostwald went 1-3 in the game with her two RBIs coming in on her home run. Sell was 2-3 with a run scored while Taylor batted 1-2 with a RBI double and a run.
Tess Eaton (1-3) picked up the loss after throwing four innings in relief for starter Ashely Davis. Eaton gave up three hits and one run while striking out three and walking only one.
"We battled hard all game." Said head coach
Aaron Jackson. "We had some great hits, just couldn't get the one we needed at the end."
Carroll started the second game in a hole after letting one run score in the first inning on a fielder's choice.
The Saints responded with a run after
Kaydee Parsons' sac-fly drove in Cloud tying the game at 1-1 going into the bottom of the second inning.
The Thunderbirds capitalized on three errors and a passed ball committed by the Saints in the inning to score three runs and take an early 4-1 lead after two.
Carroll again answered back in the top of the third on a RBI single by Taylor that scored
Jaylin Kenney.
Madison Soper got the start at catcher and tied the game with her second home run of the season, over the left-center field fence.
Parsons gave Carroll its' first lead of the day with a two out RBI single to right field that brought in Otswald. Saints led 5-4 after three innings.
The Thunderbirds reclaimed the lead in the fifth inning, scoring two runs on sac-fly and single to left field.
Trailing by one with the bases-loaded in the top of sixth inning, Kenney doubled to left-center, clearing the bases and putting Carroll in front 8-6.
UBC fought back again in the bottom half of the sixth, tying the game at 8-8 after a throwing error by the Saints that scored two runs.
Tied in the final inning, Carroll came through with clutch hitting to capture the lead. Cloud singled on a bunt that brought home Ostwald on the throw giving the Saints a 9-8 lead.
Carroll added three more insurance runs after a RBI single by pinch-hitter Sell and a two RBI single by Taylor that ultimately gave the Saints a 12-8 victory.
Eaton picked up the win and improved to 2-3 on the season. She pitched two innings in relief, giving up one hit and two runs, while striking out two.
Kenney went 2-5 on the day with two doubles and three RBIs and a run scored. Taylor also went 2-5 with three runs batted in and a run scored.
"We could have lay down and died but we fought back and got the win." Jackson said. "Hopefully we can use this momentum and get some wins tomorrow too."
The Saints improve to 14-14 on the season with a 3-7 record in conference play. Carroll plays tomorrow in Washington against conference opponent Northwest University.
Northwest is currently 8-15 overall with a 2-9 record in the Cascade Conference. The Eagles were swept by University of Great Falls, 9-0 and 9-1, on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. and updates will be available on Twitter when available.
