Knights softball wins second game of doubleheader in exciting fashion
Laurinburg, N.C. - The St. Andrews Knights softball team split their afternoon doubleheader against the Bryan College Lions, winning the second game in stirring fashion in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Game #1:
During the first matchup of the afternoon, the Lions put themselves out in front early when they scored two runs in the top of the second inning. Sophie Kruez reached base on a walk to start the inning. She reached third base on an error by the Knights third baseman, only to score not long after on a wild pitch to put the Lions on the board. Savanna Beard, the fourth baserunner of the inning who reached base on a walk, found her way around the diamond next on the fielding error and wild pitch. She scored the Lions second run on Payton Reasons single to second base.
Each side was kept scoreless for the next four innings, with the Knights in particular struggling to find any offensive momentum. Reasons threw a complete game, holding her opponents to just two hits.
The Lions added additional insurance to their lead in the top of the seventh with three extra runs. After Kruez again walked, Ashley Twitty substituted in as a pinch runner. She advanced on an infield single and then over to third on a ground out. She scored the first insurance run on a wild pitch, increasing the score to 3-0. Several pitches later, Ashley Stahl sent a two-run home run to center field, increasing the Lions lead to 5-0. The Knights were not able to rally in the bottom of the inning, giving the first victory to the visitors.
Game #2:
The second game was a battle between the two opposing pitchers. Charlee Mullins took the mound for the Knights and Denver Hogrefe was in the circle for the Lions. Both sides were held scoreless through five innings through solid pitching and error free defense on both sides. The Knights only had one runner left on base in the bottom of the second inning as they struggled to build an offensive rally.
In the top of the sixth, Twitty substituted in as a pinch runner for Lilly Taylor after she walked. She used her speed to steal second, putting herself in scoring position, then quickly advanced to third on a wild pitch. She scored the first run of the game on Beard's single to the outfield.
The Knights struck back with a run of their own in the bottom of the seventh when Haley Zimmerman scored on Valentina Jara's single to shortstop, evening the score at 1-1. The score was the same going into the bottom of the ninth inning after the Lions were not able to capitalize in the top half of the inning.
Zimmerman again played a crucial role in the Knights offense, reaching base to start the inning by drawing a walk. She stole second to put herself in scoring position, advancing to third on Jayin Joss's groundout. Two batters later, Jara sent a pop up to center field, allowing Zimmerman to score safely, securing the victory for the Knights after a hard fought game.
The Knights record moves to 8-38, 3-21. Their final games of the regular season will be on Friday, April 26, at 2 and 4 PM at Bluefield (VA).