CLERMONT, Florida - The Mount St. Joseph softball team finished their annual trip to The Spring Games in style, sweeping Wisconsin River-Falls and Ohio Wesleyan. They took down UWRF 6-2 before a mercy rule 10-2 walk-off win over Ohio Wesleyan
GAME ONE | MSJ 6 - UWRF 2 | WP: C. Kemp (4-3) , LP: M. Wallin (3-1)
To begin their final double-header of the week coach
Beth Goderwis sent junior
Casey Kemp to the circle to start the game. Kemp was outstanding in this one for the Lions going 6.0 inning allowing only four hits and one unearned run while striking out four River-Falls batters. The effort earned her the fourth win of her season.
Offensively both teams opened slowly, going three-up three-down in the first inning. River-Falls would get on the scoreboard first with a single run in the bottom of the second inning.
The Lions answered immediately with a four spot in the top of the fourth.
Kaci Finchum led the inning off with a walk, moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Emily McDonald.
Ali Lang then singled to centerfield, moving Finchum to third and advancing to secon on the throw.
Kelsi Stevenson got the Lions on the scoreboard with a two-run single down the left field line.
Macy Cornelius then doubled to deep right field, driving in Stevenson. An out later Kemp laced a single down the left field line scoring Cornelius.
The teams both went scoreless over the next two and a half innings, before the Lions added two in the top of the sixth. With one out in the inning Sarah Kardos walked in a pinch-hit appearance and was lifted for
Jaelynn Thatcher. Finchum followed with a walk of her own, then the Lions executed a double-steal. An out later Lang walked, setting the stage for Stevenson who drove in another pair of runs with a double to left field.
In the sixth inning Kemp gave way to freshman
Peri Foust. Foust did allow an earned run and a pair of walks, but was able to strand a pair of runners to finish the game.
GAME TWO | MSJ 10 - OWU 2 | WP: C. Keller (4-3) , LP: K. Chittum (1-2)
In game two of the day
Courtney Keller headed to the circle to try to help the Lions finish the trip in a winning fashion. The freshman was dominant at times, finishing the day pitching 6.0 innings, allowing five hits, two runs (one earned), while striking out four in the win.
Offensively the Lions were outstanding banging out 14 hits and scoring 10 runs.
The first run came in the bottom of the second inning. Finchum led off with a double to right center, and was pinch run for by Thatcher. Lauren Miller then laced an RBI double into right center to get the Lions on the board.
The added a four spot in the bottom of the third, Cornelius led off with a single. Keller then helped her own cause with a homerun to straight away right field. It was the third homerun of the season by the Lions freshman.
Maddie Kennedy then singled through the left side, advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt by
Rachel Gabbard. Kennedy was advanced to third on a fly out by Finchum. She scored on an RBI single by Miller. McDonald then singled moving Miller into scoring position. Lang then drilled an RBI single into centerfield to drive in the fourth run of the inning.
OWU would answer with a two run effort in the top of the fourth, but the Lions answered immediately with four more in the bottom of the inning. Keller hit a one-out double down the left field line. Kennedy then hit an infield single to second base advancing Keller to third. An out later Finchum singled down the right field line which drove in a pair of runs. After an error helped Miller to reach base, McDonald doubled to right field driving in a pair.
In the bottom of the sixth the Lions needed only a single run to envoke the 8-run mercy rule. Kennedy led off with a double to right center.
Casey Bramble was called on to pinch-hit and executed a perfect sacrifice bunt moving Kennedy to third. Finchum the grounded out to shortstop, scoring Kennedy and securing the 10-2 win for the Lions.
UP NEXT:
The Lions will head home Saturday, and will take the field again on Thursday next week. Welcoming Wittenberg to Cincinnati and the MSJ Softball Complex for their home opener. The double-header is scheduled to get underway at 4:00 PM.
