Hot-Hitting Jackets Return Home After Final Split in Arizona
March 29, 2007
Tucson, AR- Playing their final two games in the desert of Arizona, the Graceland University softball team split their final two games as they were defeated in extra innings by St. Olaf College in game one followed up by a 5-4 win in their spring break trip finale against Eastern Oregon University. The Yellowjackets went 6-2 on the trip and return home to Iowa with an overall record of 18-9.
Game One (Versus St. Olaf College)
The opening game of the afternoon featured an extra innings affair that saw the Jackets fall to the Oles by a 10-9 score in eight innings of play. Karie Hanson earned the start for GU, going five innings while allowing six runs on nine hits until being relieved by freshman Jessica Brady. Brady would get the unfortunate loss in the game as she tallied three innings, giving up four runs and five hits.
Plating nine runs on 20 hits, the Jackets continue to swing the bats well. Led by first-baseman Jennifer Soukeroff who went 4-5 including a double and triple, GU fell just short in the contest. Junior infielder Lindsay Campbell also produced a solid game at the plate by going 3-5 with Maria Barwig and Lynette Fine also registering three hits each. Jodie Clarkson, Shayna Shoonover, and Tanya Oystick each produced multi-hit games in the loss.
Game Two (Versus Eastern Oregon University) The second game of the twinbill featured a little less offense and more efficient starting pitching for both squads. Junior Sarah Lippold got the nod in the circle for the Yellowjackets and responded with a solid outing, going five innings while scattering eight hits and allowing four runs in the no decision. Carrie Wilson, a junior hurler from Saskatchewan, notched the win as she finished up the game, going two innings of scoreless relief while adding two strikeouts.
Haley Montgomery, a versatile utility player for head coach Don Stopa, put together a solid performance by going 2-4 with a double and a RBI. Jodie Clarkson also added another multi-hit game as she went 2-4 including a double. Graceland catcher Lynette Fine continued to give the Jackets a potent bat in the middle of the order as she collected a hit in four trips to the plate including two runs batted in. Oystrick also connected on a two-run double in the contest.
