MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Mississippi University for Women softball split its pair of game on the second day of its Spring Break trip to Myrtle Beach. The Owls (10-4) had its 8-game win streak snapped by McDaniel College, 15-7, and promptly rebounded to hand Lycoming College its first loss of the year, 7-5.
In the opener versus McDaniel College – and possibly the best mascot name (Green Terror) – MUW looked like it might cruise after plating five first-inning runs. The big blows were an RBI single by
Madison Crosby (2-3) and a two-run single off the bat of Aston Farnell (1-1).
But MC responded with six in the bottom of the second to chase starter
Jade Rushing and grab the 6-5 lead. After tying the contest in the fourth,
Emilee Slade's (1-1) run-scoring single in the top of the fifth put The W on top by a run.
Owls reliever
Bailey McClellan (2-2) took the loss, after having held the Green Terror at bay for the most part. However, the bottom of the fifth was a nightmare for the Owls, as nine runs crossed the plate to end the game by the run-rule.
In addition to Crosby,
Jessica Deming (2-3), and
Alysa Newman (2-3) each had a multi-hit game. All three had a double, as well.
After having its win skein go by the wayside, The W started a new victory string in the second match-up of the afternoon versus Lycoming. The Warriors entered the game unbeaten in three outings and held a 1-0 lead through four frames versus The W.
In the top of the fifth, Owls' freshman
Faith Ball slugged a solo home run to knot the game at 1-1. It was Ball's first collegiate homer, as well.
MUW reliever
Avery Byerley – who came on after a scary moment when starter
Rylie Grisham had to leave after being struck in the head by a batted ball - gave up three unearned runs, before Rushing came on in the fifth to restore order. The Warriors added a run in the sixth to go ahead, 5-1, and the Owls down to their final three outs.
But that proved to be just enough for The W, erupting for six runs in the top of the seventh.
The scoring parade started when Ball (2-3) doubled home
Riley Phillips (1-4). That was followed by
Abby Schlude's (1-3) double that plated
Makalyn Cowley (2-3) with the second run. A Deming (1-3) sacrifice fly brought home Ball and
Emilee Slade (1-4) laced the fourth double of the inning (scoring Schlude) to tie the game at 5-5.
With two out, senior
Madison Crosby (1-3) then delivered her first home run of the season. The prodigious two-run blast gave the Owls a 7-5 lead versus a shell-shocked Warriors' squad.
"We came into that last inning knowing we were down and had to fight to at least stay in the game," Crosby explained. "Everyone fought that inning. When I got up I knew I just had to hit the ball hard and not leave the call to the umpire. I think that inning gave us the energy to finish the game on top."
But Lycoming refused to roll over. With two out in the bottom of the seventh, the Warriors slapped a double and brought the potential tying run to the plate. However, Rushing induced a game-ending ground out to second, as she improved her personal record to 2-1 on the season.
The W will have an off day on Wednesday, before resuming action on Thursday morning.
