Softball Splits Day Two of The Spring Games

CLERMONT, Florida - The Mount St. Joseph softball team took to the field again in the Spring Games on Tuesday. Their schedule would see them take on #18 Rowan and Fredonia State, they would come away with a split. They dropped game one of the day 1-0 to Rowan in 8 innings, before a mercy rule 9-1 win over Fredonia State.

GAME ONE | #18 Rowan 1- MSJ 0 | WP: R. Lutz (3-1) , LP: C. Kemp (3-3)

In a game featuring two of the top teams in the ballpark both teams got outstanding outings from their pitchers. Coach Goderwis sent junior Casey Kemp to the circle to face off against the newly minted #18 team in the nation. Kemp was magnificent continually keeping the Rowan offense off balance. Over the opening seven innings she allowed only four hits and one walk while striking out four. 

Offensively the Lions could not muster much against Lutz, the ace of the Rowan staff. They managed only a pair of hits with Kemp and Kelsi Stevenson each getting one. The Lions threatened in the top of the fifth inning, Kemp led off with a single then after a pair of fielders choice plays a pair of walks loaded the bases. Freshman Josi Morrison was called on to pinch hit for Ali Lang, but the threat did not produce any runs as Morrison grounded out hard to firstbase. 

The teams headed into extra innings tied at zero, the Lions would have the first opportunity to score in the inning. In collegiate softball there is a runner placed at second to open each innings. The Lions attempted to bunt the runner over but were unable to get the bunt down. In the bottom of the frame Rowan was able to get their bunt down to move the runner to third with no outs. The walkoff run scored just a couple of pitches later on a wild pitch.

GAME TWO | MSJ 9 - Fredonia State 1 | WP: C. Keller (3-3) , LP: V. Galbraith (0-3)

In game two the Lions were the home team on the scoreboard, so Coach Goderwis sent freshman Courtney Keller to the circle to open the game. The freshman was fantastic in the game, carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning in just her sixth collegiate start. In the end she threw a complete game 5.0 innings allowing only a pair of hits and a single earned run while striking out six. The effort earned the freshman her third victory of the season.

Offensively the Lions were much better in the second game of the day. The got the scoring started in the bottom of the first, Lang led off with a walk and then quickly stole second base. Coming around from second to score on a bunt hit by Macy Cornelius.

They added three in the bottom of the second inning. Maddie Kennedy led off with a base-hit, moving on to second on a sacrifice bunt by Rachel Gabbard. An out later Elizabeth Ivers walked, setting the stage for Emily McDonald. The Lions sophomore centerfielder drilled a three-run homer to straight away center, it was the first homerun of McDonald's MSJ career. 

An inning later the Lions played long ball again, as Kennedy drilled a solo homer to right centerfield to put the Lions ahead 5-0. 

In the bottom of the fourth McDonald led off with a single to left, Lang followed up with a bunt single. Stevenson then laced an RBI single into left field scoring McDonald. Alyssa Witmer came on to run for Stevenson, and quickly her and Lang executed a perfect double-steal. Cornelius then hit a 2-run base-hit into left before advancing to second on and error by the left fielder.  The four run outburst put the mercy-rule into play for the Lions.

Keller did allow a pair of hits and a run in the top of the fifth, but was able to shut down the Fredonia rally and secure the 9-1 win for the Mount. 

UP NEXT: 
The Mount has another off day tomorrow before returning to Hancock Park in Clermont, Fla. where they will take on Wisconsin-River Falls and Ohio Wesleyan.