JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - CIU Softball opened their 2022 campaign with a two-game series against Trinity Baptist College on Saturday. The Rams managed to split the series with the Eagles after falling in the first game 1-0. However, the Rams had an offensive explosion in the second game of the doubleheader to claim their first victory of the season 12-7, improving to 1-1 on the year.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
GAME ONE: CIU 0 TBC 1: The first game of the doubleheader proved to be a slugfest, with neither team able to put together runs. The Rams connected on six hits in seven innings but couldn't bring base runners home. CIU pitchers were outstanding for the Rams in game one. The Eagle's lone score would come in the bottom of the seventh inning as TBC's Tiyahanna Hopkins would ground into a fielder's choice, advancing the runner on third home to end the game.
GAME ONE BOX SCORE NOTES:
- CIU veteran ace Catie McGovern pitched four innings allowing only six hits with three strikeouts and no runs allowed.
- In relief, sophomore Mary Esterak pitched 2.2 innings allowing only two hits with two strikeouts and one run.
- Kaitlynn Creel had a big game at the plate, recording two hits and a walk.
GAME TWO: CIU 12 TBC 7: Similar to the first game, both teams struggled early to put runs together and create scoring opportunities. However, the Rams bats came alive in the top of the third inning, notching six runs. With the bases load, Tanaya Ellis hits a grounder and reached base on an error by the third basement to bring in the Ram's first run. Then, Hallie Miller would double on a line drive to center field batting in three runs. Later in the inning, Taylor Allen would single on a shot to center field driving home another score. The Ram's last run of the inning would come on a sacrifice fly by Macey Drye to put CIU up 6-0. After the Rams scored just one run in the following inning, neither team would score until the seventh. The Rams would add five more runs to their lead in the inning with hits from Heaven Zamora and Madison Medlin to bring base runners home. However, the Eagles would not go away quietly. TBC managed to put together seven runs in the final inning, but it was not enough as the Rams won their first game of the season, 12-7.
GAME TWO BOX SCORE NOTES:
- Returners Robyn Andrews and Tanya Ellis picked up where they left off last season as each recorded an RBI and scored two runs.
- Hallie Miller was dominant at the plate, with three hits and four RBIs.
- Taylor Allen had a solid game connecting with the ball for two hits and an RBI.
- Cissy Doolittle got the win for the Ram's in the circle pitching five innings, allowing only three hits and one run.
What Coach Sara Allen is saying:
"It's always good to get a win on opening day, and I'm proud of the team for making the adjustments at the plate to make that happen. We learned a lot about what we have today, so now we'll get to work executing the things we need to do to play at the level we're capable of. We don't have much of a reset period for taking on Erskine next week, so I'm looking forward to seeing how the team responds to the challenge."
Up Next:
CIU will travel to Due West, South Carolina, for a two-game series against Erskine College this coming Wednesday, Feb. 9, starting at 3 PM.
