MELBOURNE, Fla. - On the final day at the Space Coast Spring Games, CIU softball fell to Indiana Tech and the University of Northwestern Ohio after two stout defensive performances from both of their opponents. The Rams are now 10-13 on the season and head back into Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play next week.
Game One: IT 1 CIU 0: Both teams went scoreless in the first two frames, but Indiana Tech struck first after scoring on a squeeze bunt. The Warriors moved runners into scoring position in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, but solid defense from the Rams prevented another run from crossing the plate. The Rams went down in order at the top of the seventh and could not come back from the 1-0 deficit.
Box Score Highlights:
Game Two: UNO 5 CIU 0: The Racers got two batters on in the first, but a double play from Sophia Noriega got the Rams out of that jam. Megan Stolzenbach recorded the game's first hit for the Rams but could not get past first base. The Trojans responded to this hit with three of their own to score four runs in the second inning. CIU threatened to score when Macey Drye and Carmella Korte moved into scoring position in the bottom of the fifth, but they could not push a run across. The Racers added another run in the top of the seventh and CIU's only response was a walk from Sarah Jordan in the bottom of the frame.
Box Score Highlights:
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Sydnee Dial allowed five hits and struck out two batters in five innings.
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Stolzenbach, Jordan, Drye, and Korte recorded the only hits for the Rams.
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The Rams defense turned two double plays.
What Coach Sara Allen is saying, "Overall I'm very pleased with how we played this week. We faced some of the better teams in the NAIA and grew tremendously from the experience. The game results don't necessarily reflect how strongly we competed. I'm proud of the team to committing to the process of growth and looking forward to watching how the experience this week helps us come out stronger in our remaining AAC games."
Up Next: CIU will return to Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play on Friday, March 22, at Truett McConnell (Ga.). The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST.