SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-The Christian Brothers University Lady Bucs came from behind in both games as they swept a doubleheader from host Evangel University Saturday afternoon.
GAME 1:WHAT HAPPENED:The Lady Bucs (2-2) scored three runs in the top of the seventh to rally for a 4-2 win in the opener.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• CBU scored in the top of the first inning. Singles by
Holly Oyhenart (Menifee, Calif./Paloma Valley HS) and
Gabrielle Sereika (Rochester, N.Y./Aquinas Institute) set up an RBI double by
Olivia Parsels (Germantown, Tenn./St. Benedict HS).
• The lead stood up until the bottom of the sixth, when the Crusaders (0-2) took the lead with a double and two triples.
• The Lady Bucs responded in the top of the seventh. Kylie Steagell led off with a single, and back-to-back walks to
Blake Andres (Arlington, Tenn./Briarcrest HS) and
Abby Ferreira (Santa Clarita, Calif./Saugus HS) loaded the bases with no outs.
Alexis Seward (Chino, Calif./Chino HS) reached on an error to score Steagall, and singles by
Amber Johnson (Somerville, Tenn./Fayette Academy) and Oyhenart scored Andres and Ferreira to set the final margin.
KEY STATS:• Oyhenart went 2-for-4 with a run and one RBI.
• Parsels, Steagall, Sereika and Johnson collected one hit each.
•
Kasey Beekman (Aurora, Colo./Aliso Niguel (Calif.) HS) pitched five and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk against two strikeouts.
•
Jenna Cotter (Collierville, Tenn./Houston HS) earned the win, improving to 1-1 as she threw an inning and a third of scoreless relief with one hit and two strikeouts.
GAME 2:WHAT HAPPENED:After each team scored four runs in the first four innings, Steagall broke the deadlock with an RBI double in the sixth inning to lift CBU to a 5-4 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED:• CBU again jumped to an early lead, scoring two runs before recording their first out. Johnson and Oyhenart opened the game with back-to-back singles. A wild throw on a double-steal allowed both to score.
• The Crusaders cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the first with a run on two walks and a two-out RBI single.
• Evangel tied the game an inning later, capitalizing on a one-out error after a single and a stolen base.
• Ferreira put the Lady Bucs back ahead in the top of the third when she doubled and scored when Johnson reached on an error.
• Evangel regained the lead in the bottom of the third with two runs on two doubles and a triple.
• CBU again took advantage of an error in the top of the fourth inning. Parsels singled, moved to second when Cotter reached on an error and scored from second when Andres grounded into a force play.
• Steagall provided the winning run in the top of the sixth inning. Cotter led off with a walk and moved to second on an Andres sacrifice. With two out, Steagall doubled to bring her home, and Cotter retired the final six batters she faced to preserve her second victory of the day.
KEY STATS:• Oyhenart went 2-for-4 with a run.
• Sereika was 2-for-4.
• Johnson, Parsels, Steagall and Ferreira collected one hit each.
• Cotter (2-1) threw six innings of relief, allowing three runs, two earned as she scattered seven hits against six strikeouts and no walks.
WHAT'S NEXT:The Lady Bucs return to action Sunday at noon as they visit Drury for a doubleheader. Their next home game is set for Tuesday at noon as they host Missouri-St. Louis for a twinbill.
