Softball 2/27/2017 4:42:00 PM Chris Myers

Cardinals Use Long Ball in Opening Win, Dragons Edge Out Second Game in Extras

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 CLERMONT, Fla. – Courtney Rogers and Molly Welsh powered Wheeling Jesuit softball to a run-rule Monday-morning win over Cleary University, 9-1 in five innings, before Tiffin edged out an eight-inning, 5-4, second game.

Rogers broke open the morning game with a bottom of the third grand slam and Welsh blasted a home fifth three-run home run in the Cardinals (3-1) win. WJU plated two sixth-inning game-tying runs, but Tiffin crossed the game-winner in the eighth frame.

"We played a strong first game on both sides of the ball," said WJU head coach Sara Pelegreen. "We're just going to let today humble us (regarding the second game) and look forward to stepping out on the field tomorrow with a blank slate."

WJU recorded 19 hits in 13 innings for the day. Welsh posted the biggest day with the 3-run homer, two doubles and a single. Dana Achille added a triple and a pair of singles along with Jackie Cramer singled three times.

WJU returns to the diamond Tuesday morning, February 28, for single games against University of Michigan-Dearborn at 9 a.m. and Gannon in the afternoon at 2 p.m.

vs. Cleary

In the home second, Victor Scott walked and raced around to score two WJU batters later on a Welsh double. Cleary tied the game in the third, 1-1.

Following a Michaela Miller and Achille hits and another Scott walk to load the bases, Rogers connected for her first collegiate homer, a grand slam. Welsh drove the ball over the fence for her first Cardinals round-tripper, a 3-run variety. Cramer singled as the next WJU hitter, stole second and scored on a Cleary error to end the game in five innings.

Pitcher Erin Unterbrink (2-0) posted her second win in as many days. She struck out only one, but did not walk a batter again with only four hits over five innings.

"We played very strong game both offensively and defensively. Pitching by Erin was impressive, but what was more impressive was our defense behind her. They put the ball in play and we got our outs. At the plate, we made solid contact throughout the whole lineup the entire game," said Pelegreen.

vs. Tiffin

A Scott walk and Mallory Chapman single started the top of the second. Welsh double home the one and Cramer lined a RBI single for a 2-0 Cards lead. Tiffin scored four unearned runs with two outs in the home third for a 4-2 lead.

Leading off the sixth, Rachel Conrad connected on a leadoff double and Chapman singled. Welsh hit the lead runner in and Cassie Holstein plated the second, both on singles, to tie the game, 4-4.

After the Cardinals failed to score, the Dragons sacrificed the international extra-inning runner to third, before she scored on the next ground out for the 5-4 winning run.

"We came out ready to roll, and I think throughout the game we let our guard down a little and it caught up with us. We couldn't get the timely hits that we needed, and had entirely too many strikeouts and runners left on base. We just had a lack of discipline, but what we never lacked was heart and we fought to the end," pointed out Pelegreen.

Chapman was tagged with the loss, but did not allow an earned run over eight frames. The junior struck out three and did not walk a batter while she gave up six singles.

-GoCards-

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