MACON, Ga. - After two tough losses to No. 18 College of Coastal Georgia on Friday, CIU softball headed to Wesleyan College for a Saturday afternoon doubleheader for the first-ever meeting between the teams . The Rams combined for 19 hits between both games to secure a sweep of the Wolves to improve to 4-4 on the season.
Game 1
CIU 13 Wesleyan 6: CIU made its way on the board after a Josie Self homer, but the Wolves responded with one of their own in the bottom of the first after an error and three hits. Hallie Miller got the second-inning rally started after driving in Lilli Petty, and the Rams went on to score eight runs off of three hits, four walks, and an error to lead 9-1. CIU threatened to score again in the top of the fourth with bases load, but a double play prevented any more runs from crossing the plate. The Wolves began fighting back after pushing three across in the bottom of the fourth, but the Rams responded with four in the top of the fifth, highlighted by a Megan Stolzenbach triple. The Rams were on the verge of a five-inning run-rule until Wesleyan scored two runs off five hits and an error. Both teams went scoreless in the final two innings to give CIU the 13-6 win.
Box Score Highlights:
Game 2
CIU 9 Wesleyan 1: Thompson got things going for the Rams in the first inning, scoring Carmella Korte with a single up the middle. CIU added two more off a couple of defensive miscues to lead 3-0. The Wolves responded with one run of their own in the bottom of the first, but this was the only run they could push across for the remainder of the contest. Korte picked up an RBI in the second to extend the lead to 4-1. CIU tacked on three more runs in the fourth after a passed ball and a Self single cleared the bases. Hits from Dallas Mayers and Stolzenbach added two more to put the Rams in rule-rule territory. Wesleyan battled back in the bottom of the fifth, but a 9-6-2 double play prevented any scoring opportunities.
Box Score Highlights:
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Stolzenbach led the way with three hits, while Self picked up two RBI.
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Every person in the Rams' lineup reached base at least once.
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Sadie Johnson threw a complete five-inning game, allowing only three hits and one run.
What head coach Sara Allen says: "This weekend was a really good learning and growing experience for us. We saw many great things from everyone in the lineup and worked through some to help us tighten our game. Being three outs away from beating a top-25 team is a good sign of how we can expect to compete this season. Notable performances over the weekend are Miranda Fulmer and Sadie Johnson in the circle, Megan Stolzenbach made several outstanding defensive plays, and Josie Self and Caydon Thompson had multiple clutch hits over both days."
Up Next: The Rams welcome Claflin University (S.C.) for a doubleheader on Tuesday, Feb. 13, starting at 5 p.m. EST.
