ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Eckerd softball team opened its season in winning fashion with a doubleheader sweep of Ursuline (Ohio) Saturday afternoon at the Turley Athletic Complex. EC held the Arrows to just two runs scored on the day, taking both games, 2-1 and 5-1, respectively.
A pitcher's duel broke out in the first game, as both teams were held hitless for four innings. Brooklyn Cardona broke the stalemate, scoring off a sacrifice fly from Sara Soterakis in the fifth inning, giving the Tritons a 1-0 lead. The Arrows evened the score in the top of the seventh inning when Jovanna Herrera scored on Maddie Fields' double. EC loaded the bases in the final frame, and Jenice Casanas scored the game-winning run after Hannah Burge reached on a fielder's choice to the shortstop, giving EC the walk-off, 2-1, victory.
Both teams tacked on a run early in the finale, with the Arrows scoring first via a sacrifice fly from Herrera. Cardona evened the score, 1-1, scoring on an Ursuline throwing error. Skylar Redish blew the game open with a grand slam in the fifth inning, scoring Lauren Margolis, Brenna Lokeinsky, and Soterakis, who reached on a pair of walks and a fielder's choice, for a 5-1 lead.
HOW IT ENDED
Game 1
Final: Eckerd 2, Ursuline 1
WP: Perkins (1-0) LP: Zientek (0-1)
Game 2
Final: Eckerd 5, Ursuline 1
WP: Durrance (1-0) LP: Jakosh (0-1) HR: Redish (1)
Records: Eckerd 2-0, Ursuline 0-2
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Megan Diaz led EC with three hits on the day. She went 2-for-3 in the opening game and 1-for-3 in the second game of the doubleheader.
- The Tritons drew a combined seven walks across both games.
- After notching a grand slam in the finale, Redish finished the day with four RBIs. She also drew two walks.
- Hannah Perkins earned the opening day win, pitching a complete game and allowing just three hits while striking out five.
- Kensley Durrance also earned her first win of the season, pitching a complete-game effort. She allowed five hits with just one run allowed and five strikeouts.
QUOTABLE
"I am very proud of our team going out and getting two wins today," said head coach
Katie Profitt. "Our defense and pitchers played well and a huge clutch hit by
Skylar Redish today."
UP NEXT
The Tritons play their second doubleheader in as many days against Lander (SC) on Sunday at 12:00 and 2:00 PM.
