NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio -- The Thiel College softball team split 1-1 at Kent State Tuscarawas with a 12-4 win and 10-6 loss Friday afternoon.
Thiel remains at .500 with a 6-6 record as the Eagles drop to 2-11.
Game 1: Thiel 6, KS Tusc 10
Five runs and a home run from the Eagles in the bottom of the sixth secured their victory as they were able to shut Thiel down in the top of the seventh.
Despite being down 5-1, the Tomcats took over in the fourth to overcome Tuscarawas 6-5. A rally started for Thiel as their first two batters were walked and two errors from the Eagle defense brought in three Thiel runs.
Kayley Risser (Reynoldsville, Pa./Dubois Central Catholic) and
Mackenzie Herman (Greenville, Pa./Reynolds) singled to right and center field to bring in the final two runs of the fourth frame.
The Eagles put the pressure on in the bottom of the third, forcing Thiel into errors and scoring four runs to lead the Blue and Gold 4-1. Thiel got their first run of the game with an error from the defense and
Sheila Despenes (Townville, Pa./Maplewood) reaching home.
Tuscarawas struck first in the second frame off a triple from deep in their starting lineup.
On the mound
Alaina Fedder (Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield Area) pitched all six innings and had five strikeouts off 108 pitches.
Game 2: Thiel 12, KS Tusc 4
The Tomcats closed out the seventh inning with two runs by Risser and
Ava Gilmore (West Middlesex, Pa./West Middlesex Area). Risser scored off a passed ball and Gilmore was brought around the bases off a double from Mackenna Oswalt.
The Eagles big inning came in the fifth as they scored three runs to Thiel's one in the top of the frame.
Thiel created separation in the fourth frame with a first of the season home-run from Risser to bring
Kylie Heid (Monaca, Pa./Central Valley) home, followed my Herman with a homer of her own.
In the second, Fedder and Gilmore reached the bags off two singles. Both Tomcats were brought home from
Rylie Fordyce (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield Area) and Oswalt.
Sheila Despenes (Townville, Pa./Maplewood) doubled to the center fielder and reach home as Risser drove a single to left field. Herman tripled to deep right field to bring in the fifth run of the inning.
Herman led the second game with three hits off four at bats. Heid, Risser, Fedder and Gilmore each had two hits and Heid had two stolen bases.
In the circle,
Lily Merolillo (Mineral Ridge, Ohio/Mineral Ridge) picked up the win with one strike out and 51 pitches. Herman came in to relive Merolillo in the final three innings.
The Blue and Gold are back in action tomorrow, Saturday Mar. 21 as they host Grove City for their first conference double-header at noon.
