RALEIGH, NC- The Vikings concluded their stint at the Triangle Classic with a 3-3 record, finishing out Day 3 with a 10-8 victory over the Hornets of Shenandoah University, and a tough 3-8 loss to the Christopher Newport Captains.
Game One (Shenandoah):
Casey Holloway started in the circle for the Vikings, shutting down the Hornet offense in her three innings pitched, with only one hit allowed in 12 batters faced.
The Vikings broke open the 0-0 ball game in the top of the 3rd inning when a shot to right field by Paige Bennett allowed Katelyn Boman and Ava Fouts to score, both of whom walked previously.
Avery Greeson entered in relief of Casey Holloway in the 4th inning, followed by a pitching change to Megan Rapillo. The Hornets made for a big seven-run inning in the bottom of the 4th, rallying on a 2 RBI home run by E.Hunt and a grand slam by R.Blumensch. Ava Fouts took control of the circle, shutting down the momentum of the Hornet offense and keeping the score at 2-7 going into the 5th inning.
Determined to battle, Berry made adjustments in the box which allowed them to close the gap. Offense found success in their pitch selection. Ava Fouts lead off the top of the 6th inning, drawing a walk. She was joined on the bases by Paige Bennett, who singled up the middle. A SAC bunt by Kennedy Moody moved runners into scoring position, allowing Fouts to score on a single through the left side by Erica Bennett (3-7). A bases loaded walk by Kensi Ody scored Paige Bennett (4-7). Elly Bennett also remained selective in her at bat, drawing the walk and scoring with Erica Bennett on a hit to center field by freshman Cara Holland (6-7).
The Vikings, now within one run of taking the lead, locked in defensively behind Fouts and secured a quick three-up-three-down, to take them into the top of the 7th inning.
Now back at the top of the order, Ava Fouts singled through the left side, becoming the tying runner. Kennedy Moody advanced Fouts to third on a single to left center. A hit by Lauren Cothern secured the RBI to tie up the game at 7-7. Elly Bennett reached on fielders choice. With Cothern on second as the go-ahead run, Erica Bennett hit a 2 RBI triple to right field (9--7). A hard hit ball to short stop by Kensi Ody scored Bennett for the last insurance run of the inning.
Shenandoah scraped one more run across the board, but the Vikings remained victorious with a final score of 10-8.
Game Two (Christopher Newport):
Hannah Gore started in the circle for the Vikings, throwing 6 innings with 8 strikeouts.
The Captains grabbed momentum early, scoring first as the visitor team in the top of the 1st inning. Stringing together hits and using speed on the base paths, CNU put up a 0-3 lead.
The Viking offense responded in the second inning, tying up the game at 3-3. Lauren Cothern started off the inning hot with a double. A hit by Erica Bennett put two runners on base as Latifa Madesko stepped up to plate, launching her first collegiate home run over the fence to tie the game (3-3).
Christopher Newport worked to push one run at the top of the 4th inning, breaking the tie with a solo home run by Thompson (3-4).
The bats fell flat for the Vikings, with no runs crossing the board for the rest of the game.
The Captains took advantage of this to gain insurance, pushing one run in the 5th inning and three in the 6th.
Casey Holloway closed out the game, allowing no further runs to score, but the Vikings were unable to rally back, with a final score of 3-8.
Catch the Vikings back in action on Thursday, as they travel to Clermont, Florida to take on Alfred University and Lake Forest College.
