Graceland Picks Up Regular Season Ending Split with Avila
April 21, 2007
Box Score Game One Box Score Game Two
Lamoni, IA- With the postseason Heart of America Athletic Conference tournament still in doubt for the Graceland University softball team, their remaining double-header on Saturday afternoon at Lamoni’s North Park proved to be a huge set of games for both teams. After posting an exciting game one victory over the visiting Eagles, the Jackets were unable to come out on top in game two.
Behind the strong pitching of Carrie Wilson, the Jackets improved their season record to 22-17 with a 9-11 mark within the HAAC. The top eight conference records make the postseason tournament to be played next weekend, April 27th-28th in Springfield, Missouri.
More details about the possible HAAC playoff plans of the Yellowjackets will be released on the GU athletics website as they become available.
Game OneWith the game scoreless entering the bottom of the third inning and both pitchers dealing, the GU offense finally struck first blood when they pushed across their first run of the contest.
After speedy second-baseman and one of two Yellowjacket seniors making their final appearances at home, Lindsey Campbell led off the inning by being hit by a pitch. After Haley Montgomery sacrificed her to second, slugging catcher Maria Barwig smashed a double that would score Campbell for the game’s opening run.
Avila wouldn’t let the lead hold for long as they pushed across two runs of their own in the top half of the fourth giving the Yellowjackets their first deficit of the afternoon. GU wouldn’t sit around and wait however as they retook the lead in their half of the fourth with two runs that would eventually seal the 3-2 Graceland victory.
Shayna Schoonover delivered a one-out single to get things going followed up by a Lynette Fine flyout for out number two. Bryn Degraw, GU’s slick fielding shortstop, next stepped in a knocked a single of her own followed up by a run-scoring base-hit by Tanya Oystrick to tie the game at 2-2.
Lindsey Campbell once again proved clutch as she laced an RBI single to score Degraw and give the Jackets the lead and enough support for Wilson on the mound.
Wilson, who pitched two complete games the day before against the HAAC-leading Evangel University squad, once again took the rubber for head coach Don Stopa in the all-important opening game versus Avila. Wilson responded with another dazzling performance by tossing a one-hitter while allowing zero earned runs and striking out four.
Campbell led the Jackets offense with two hits while first-baseman Jennifer Souckeroff also collected two hits including a double.
Game Two
The second game of the double-header featured more clutch hitting and a few Graceland defensive miscues probably cost them a chance at the sweep as Avila came out on top 5-4 despite some late-inning heroics by GU.
Rigth-hander Sarah Lippold took to the pitching circle in game two for the Jackets and allowed eight hits, five runs (three earned) while striking out four and giving up three base on balls.
Possibly a little stung after their opening game loss, Avila jumped out quickly to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of game two. Ali Scruggs lined a RBI single to score leadoff hitter Ashley Talley for the games first score. Scruggs would come around to score after advancing on a wild pitch and coming home on a RBI single by Mallory Birnbaum.
AU put together another run-scoring opportunity in the second inning, plating a single run before GU would strike for their first run in the bottom of the second inning. Oystrick connected on a RBI single scoring Degraw. Fine plated Souckeroff with a RBI double in the third inning to cut the Avila lead to 3-2.
The Eagles were able to tack on a run in the fifth and sixth inning to give them a comfortable lead entering the seventh inning of play. GU catcher Lynette Fine made things a bit uneasy in the Eagles dugout when she drilled a two-run homerun to cut the lead to 5-4. However, AU would shut the door on the Yellowjackets rally and earn the victory.
Karie Hanson, usually a right-handed pitcher for the Blue and Gold, filled in at third-base in game two and produced a 2-4 showing at the plate. Along with her homerun, Fine also added a single and went 2-4.
Unfortunately somewhat of a theme lately for the Yellowjacket’s team, injuries continue to pile up and challenge the reserves to step up. Maria Barwig, GU’s versatile catcher/third-baseman who has also been penciled into the number three spot in the order for much of the season, had to leave the game with an injury while Shayna Schoonover was also forced out.
For More Information on Graceland University Athletics Contact:
Michael Brown, Sports Information Director
(641) 784-5318
mibrown@graceland.edu
