PITTSBURGH, PA - This afternoon La Roche Softball played two incredibly close games this afternoon against the Penn State Altoona Lions. Here's what happened.
GAME ONE
In their first outing on the field, La Roche fostered some heightened energy. The team seemed to be buzzing with it and it took some time for the team to settle in and get down to business.
Altoona won the race to be the first on the board, driving two runs in quickly in the first inning, and then once more in the third.
That did not stop the Redhawks from buckling down and then holding the team scoreless for the three innings remaining.
It also didn't stop the La Roche offensive from putting up a fight at the plate. The team earned a collective total of three hits on the day, coming from Kennedi Winslow, Garrah Milochik, and Emma Bizay.
Winslow is the owner of the RBI in game one, pushing Bizay around after she singled into center field. Bizay had stolen second base a play earlier to put herself into a prime scoring position.
Although the Redhawks played excellent defense in the final three innings, they were not able to catch up to the Lions.
Winslow took the loss in the circle, surrendering 3 runs on 4 hits, striking out 2.
GAME TWO
At the second start of the day, the team came prepared to battle. Spirits were still high as the team looked to split the series with the Lions.
La Roche seemed to find their stride at the plate in game two. Altoona took an early lead in the top of the second, but the Redhawks tied it up at 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning. The firepower at the plate seemed to have returned, the team earned a collective 6 hits in this contest.
Garrah Milochik led her team, going 2-for-4 at bat. It was Kennedi Winslow, and Alexis Myers that would come to earn the RBIs after Milochik led the way on base. Emma Bizay socked a double.
Both teams held scoreless throughout the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. It looked like we were getting ready to gear up for extra innings, when Altoona made a pitching switch, to the pitcher that stumped the Redhawks in game one.
In the seventh and final inning, the Lions were able to sneak a line drive right up the center of the field to push in a run and put them up by one. The Redhawks quickly retired the final batter of the inning, but they now had another challenge on their hands.
Unfortunately for La Roche, the pitcher that stumped them once before succeeded again, and the team fell short by a heartbreaking one run.
Earning the loss is Alexis Myers. The hurler went all 7 innings, allowing 3 runs on 10 hits, and striking out 2.
The Redhawks had a flawless game in the field, not recording one error. A double play was turned by Abby Hoffman and Bizay.
Savvy baserunning was seen by Bizay, Ashlee Bair, and Milochik who all stole a base.
Your Redhawks will be back at home this Saturday against Pitt-Bradford, weather permitting. We will also be celebrating Senior Day! Be sure to come out and support the team and give these ladies an incredible send-off.