COLUMBIA, S.C. - After two away series to open the season, CIU softball played their home opener Friday afternoon in a doubleheader against Carolina University (N.C.). The Rams looked to bounce back after losing both games in their last series on the road at Erskine College. CIU pitchers were stout in both contests resulting in two wins over the Bruins.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
GAME ONE: CIU 6 CU 4: CIU would get things rolling in the first inning with a two-out double by Hallie Miller followed by a double by Madison Medlin, which brought in Miller to take the lead 1-0. The Rams would add two more runs in their next at-bat to increase their lead to 3-0. Carolina would get on the board in the 3rd inning on a home run, but CIU would answer. With runners in scoring position, Hallie Miller would reach base for a second time on a single to bring in another run. The Bruins tied the game up in the 6th inning, 4-4, with a two-run homer; however, the Rams responded again with two runs in the bottom of the 6th. CIU would get three quick outs to close out game one, coming out on top 6-4.
BOX SCORE NOTES:
GAME TWO: CIU 2 CU 1: Game two was a good ole fashion pitcher dual as both team's pitchers lasted the entire game. Haylee Wilkerson would earn the game's first run with a solo home run over the left-field wall. The Rams added another run the next inning with a single from Hallie Miller. A wild throw by the Bruins brought a run home, putting the Rams up 2-0. Carolina would only be able to cross home plate one more time in the sixth inning, but it wasn't enough as the Rams retired the rest of the Bruin batters to close the game.
BOX SCORE NOTES:
- Cissy Doolittle pitched all seven innings for the Rams, only giving up three hits and one run on 88 total pitches.
- Hallie Miller was a force at the plate the entire series notching four hits and three RBI's on the day.
What Coach Sara Allen is saying:
"Today looked a lot more like CIU softball. It was good to see the team bounce back and clean up some of the things that have hurt us in previous games. We had really timely hitting and effective pitching. Cissy Doolittle pitched especially well and Hallie Miller had multiple big at-bats. We need to continue to mature in a few areas, but it's a really good sign that we were able to come out on top in two close ball games. Three double headers in a week is a lot of ball, so tomorrow will be a big test for our stamina!"
Up Next:
The Rams will be back at the CIU Softball field tomorrow with a doubleheader against Benedict College starting at 1 PM.
