Melbourne, Fla. – Softball began the day hot with a 12-hitter against the Trolls of Trinity Christian College. The Golden Eagles started hot in the first contest with seven runs in just the first inning. Cornerstone took down the Trolls 12-4 in a six-inning contest. The second game of the day saw Kara Sandberg to three strikeouts versus Olivet Nazarene, as she allowed just four hits in her win. Anna Griffioen highlighted the offense with three RBIs in the contest as Cornerstone took the win over the Tigers 7-4.
Softball will wrap it up in Florida with one final day of action against both Bloomfield College and Florida National University. These games will take place on March 14, at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively.
Game One Recap: Cornerstone – 12 Trinity Christian (Ill.) – 4
-
Cornerstone began the contest hot with five hits in the top of the first inning. Anna Griffioen reached home first for the Golden Eagles and Maddi Veersma wrapped up the inning as she was the seventh runner to round the diamond in the opening inning. Cornerstone were not able to get out of the bottom of the first unscathed, as the Trolls pulled back three runs to go into the second inning 7-3, with Cornerstone on top.
-
The next inning was quiet for both teams with no hits between the two sides. Maddi Veersma doubled to start the third inning for Cornerstone and made it home after stealing third and a single hit by Gabby Mecca. Gabby Mecca and Alexis Ashbay made it to home plate to score two more runs in the third inning for Cornerstone who led 10-3.
-
It was quiet for both teams until the top of the sixth inning, thanks to multiple well executed defensive plays by both teams in the two prior innings.
-
The top of the sixth would be the final inning for Cornerstone on offense, but they took advantage of it. Paige Liddell singled that sent Morgan Jenkins home, and then Kaitlyn Cain singled to send Taylor Zwagerman home for the 12th point of the contest for Cornerstone, who led 12-3.
-
The Trolls were able to score one run in the bottom of the sixth, but a pop up to the second baseman ended the contest. The result was a strong showing by Cornerstone 12-4 over Trinity Christian.
Game Two Recap: Cornerstone – 7 Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) – 4
-
Cornerstone were first up in the top of the first inning. A wild pitch from Olivet Nazarene saw two runners for Cornerstone advance and Morgan Jenkins reached home for the first run of the game for the Golden Eagles. With the bases loaded, Adriana Sackett was walked and got the RBI, as Sam Timmer walked her way home. The Tigers got one back on Cornerstone in the bottom of the first, which ended 2-1 in Cornerstone's favor.
-
The second inning was quiet for both teams, and Kara Sandberg got one strikeout to help keep Olivet Nazarene stifled on offense.
-
The top of the third inning saw two quick outs for Cornerstone, but not before two runners made their way to the bases. Alexis Ashbay singled, which sent Adriana Sackett home, followed by a double from Anna Griffioen that saw two runners return to home plate for Cornerstone. They led 5-1 heading into the bottom of the third.
-
The fourth inning was a battle of defense from both teams, as Cornerstone went through the inning with no hits or runs, and Olivet Nazarene had just one hit with no runs scored. The score remained 5-1 at the end of the fourth.
-
The Golden Eagles added two more runs to their total as Alexis Ashbay and Dylan Holmes scored in the top of the fifth inning to put Cornerstone up 7-1.
-
Cornerstone had a quick bout in the top of the sixth inning as the Tigers got two runs back with no outs on the scoreboard. The Golden Eagles wrapped it up on defense to send the contest into the seventh inning.
-
The Tigers shut down Cornerstone in the top of the seventh inning to give them a chance to make it back into the game. Cornerstone began the bottom of the inning by catching a fly to get the first out. The Tigers managed to get one more run on the board before one final fly ball catch by Cornerstone completed the second day of sweeps 7-4.
By the Numbers:
5/1.5 – Grace Paling took the win from the pitcher's mound, with five strikeouts and an ERA of 1.5 with just one earned run allowed in the six-inning contest.
3 – Paige Liddell led the way in the first contest with three RBIs, with just one hit and one run to her tally.
2/2 – Two hits equaled two runs for Maddi Veersma, who helped to build the tally for Cornerstone in their 12-4 win over the Trolls.
3 – Anna Griffioen highlighted the offense in the second game, as she tallied three RBIs in the seven run win over the Tigers.
2 – Dylan Holmes led the way against Olivet Nazarene with two runs in the contest.
What's Next?
Softball will wrap it up in Florida with one final day of action against both Bloomfield College and Florida National University. These games will take place on March 14, at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively.
Softball Contact: Mason Young | mason.young@cornerstone.edu
CU Athletics: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
