PITTSBURGH, PA - This afternoon the softball team at La Roche settled in for a non double header against the Cougars of Chatham University. The Redhawks battled hard and went 1-1 with the Cougars.
Game One
La Roche was the first on the board for game one, as Jesslyn Daniels got the scoring started with a single that allowed Brandi Clyde to cross the plate.
The Redhawks were quiet for the next few innings until things came alive in the bottom of the fifth where the offense was able to drive in five runs. Abby Hoffman, Katie Gaughan, Ashtin Hoover, and Kelly Denk were the backbone behind the big inning with RBIs.
Emily Waldrop was the winning pitcher for La Roche University. The pitcher went seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out one.
On the day the Redhawks racked up 13 hits; those hits coming from Gaughan, Hoffman, Garrah Milochik, and Brandi Clyde.
Gaughan went three for four at the plate, and led the team in hits.
Hoffman and Gaughan tied for RBI leader in tonight's contest.
La Roche won the first game with an 8-3 victory over Chatham.
Game Two
The second game of the double header was one that was not an easy battle and went into extra innings.
The Redhawks took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning, scoring four runs in one go.
Gaughan got things started for the team once more by laying down a bunt that cleaned her to second base. Ashtin Hoover was then walked. Two outs were gained by the Cougars, but La Roche wasn't ready to give up yet.
Garrah Milochik rocked a fly ball out to the left field which was mishandled, giving Gaughan and Hoover the opportunity to score. Milochik was able to make it second base on the error.
Emilee Waldrop returned the favor and shot a double out to center field, driving in Clyde and Milochik. This gave La Roche an early 4-0 lead.
Things were quiet the next few innings as the Cougars worked to catch up.
Gaughan scored again on a passed ball in the bottom of the fourth inning to up the Redhawks' lead to 5-2.
However, in the top of the fifth inning, Chatham was able to score three runs, and tie the Redhawks.
In the top of the sixth the Cougars drove in one run on a single, giving them a one run lead over La Roche.
The Redhawks weren't ready to lay down their bats just yet, and they were able to push one run in to tie the game 6-6, pushing the contest into extra innings.
It was here at the top of the eighth inning that the team lost their fight.
The top of the eight beheld four fielding errors for La Roche, leading them to give up 10 runs to the Cougars in one inning.
The team went into the second half of the eighth inning, hoping for a rally, with a 10 run deficit.
La Roche was able to drive in four runs in the bottom of the extra inning, with a double from Kelly Denk, and another from Garrah Milochik.
Brandi Clyde's single drove in two runs, and Emilee Waldrop's single during her at bat scored two more.
Unfortunately, their rally stopped there as Waldrop was caught at second base trying to make her single into a double, and the Redhawks ended the inning only scoring four runs.
Alexis Myers started out pitching for La Roche. She faced 23 batters, and allowed five hits and five runs, and struck out one.
Emilee Waldrop took over midway through the game and she threw four innings. She allowed seven hits, 10 runs, and struck out three batters.
Leading the team in RBIs was also Waldrop with four.
Katie Gaughan, Kelly Denk, Brandi Clyde, and Garrah Milochik were the backbone of the Redhawks offense with hits.
La Roche will be back in action this Wednesday (weather permitting) in a conference matchup against the Penn State-Altoona Lions. Game times are set for 3 and 5:00 PM.