ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Tritons softball team split a twinbill with Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday afternoon at the Turley Athletic Complex ,using a hot offensive start in a run-rule win in the first game but falling in a tight contest in the backend of the doubleheader.
Eckerd scored six runs over the first two innings of the opener while
Nikole Van Gennep was masterful in the circle with a nearly-perfect outing. The Tritons collected another three runs in the fifth for the win.
The Eckerd offense had a bit of trouble in the finale, tallying only four hits.
Janna Gaburo kept the Mustangs bats at bay for the majority of the game, but ran into a little trouble in the third inning that resulted in the lone run of the contest.
HOW IT ENDED
Game One
Final: Eckerd 9, Southwest Minnesota State 1 (5 Innings)
Records: Eckerd 7-10, Southwest Minnesota State 3-4
WP: Van Gennep (5-7)
LP: Golling (1-2)
Game Two
Final: Southwest Minnesota State 1, Eckerd 0
Records: Eckerd 7-11, Southwest Minnesota State 4-4
WP: Crank (3-1)
LP: Gaburo (0-1)
KEY MOMENTS
Game One
- Eckerd wasted little time getting on the board putting up four runs in the opening frame. Van Gennep led off the game with a walk and Crystal Garcia followed with a single. Dana Paul then delivered the first of three straight Triton doubles, driving in both Van Gennep and Garcia on the shot to left center. Meredith McGinnis and Carrie Shere unleashed the next two doubles driving in a run apiece.
- Eckerd scored again twice in the second inning on a two-run single by Paul, scoring Kaleigh Floyd and Van Gennep who both singled to open the inning.
- The Tritons scored another three runs in the fifth inning to reach run-rule territory. After loading the bases on two Triton singles and a fielding error, Van Gennep ripped a ball through the left side driving in Ally Costa and Kayelee Newstrom. Garcia followed with a single through the right side driving in Floyd for the final run.
- Van Gennep work nearly flawless over three innings not allowing a baserunner. She did allow one hit to open the fourth inning before giving way to Costa who allowed four hits without giving up a run.
- The Mustangs scored one run in the fourth inning after a leadoff double. Abbie Decker came around to score on an Emma Grote bunt.
Game Two
- Gaburo worked soldily in the circle for the Tritons allowing just five hits and retiring the first six batters faced. She allowed one run in the third inning after giving up a walk to open the inning. Decker then hit a double to bring in the lone run of the game. Gaburo worked out of jams in the fifth and sixth innings allowing two runners on but coaxing popups in both innings to escape any damage.
- Eckerd had its best opportunity to score in the fourth inning. Van Gennep led off the inning with a double and was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt but the Tritons were unable to push the run across.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Van Gennep led Eckerd with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate in the first game while driving in two runs. Paul, Garcia, and Floyd each had two hits apiece as well with Paul driving in four runs. Paul led Eckerd in the second game collecting two hits.
- Garcia had two hits in the opening game to extend her hitting streak to eight games, but the streak snapped in the second game. Van Gennep had hits in both games extending her reached-base streak to 15 games.
- Van Gennep earned her fifth win of the season while striking out five over three innings.
UP NEXT
Eckerd will conclude the three-game series with Southwest Minnesota State tomorrow night with a single game at 6:00 PM.
