COLUMBIA, Ky. - No. 11 Lindsey Wilson softball put forth a dramatic come-from-behind victory to cap-off a doubleheader sweep of Bethel (Tenn.) on Friday at Marilyn D. Sparks Park.
The Blue Raiders shut out the Wildcats in game one but needed extra innings to outlast the visitors in game two.
Kaiden Rodgers and
Natalie Wandrie each produced two RBIs on two extra-base hits, including a home run by Rodgers.
On the rubber,
Hallie Roberts and
Kayden Murray, again, posted respective complete-game efforts.
Game One: No. 11 Lindsey Wilson 6, Bethel (Tenn.) 0
A two-out RBI-double from Wandrie put Lindsey Wilson on the board in the bottom of the first inning, plating
Sam Hartman.
The Blue Raiders' 1-0 lead held true through the fourth inning. Meanwhile, Roberts did not allow a Wildcat hit until the fifth frame, and ultimately allowed only two for the game.
In the bottom leg of the fifth,
Atavya Fowler led off with a double to left field and subsequently earned third base after a defensive obstruction.
Nora Epley brought Fowler home off a sacrifice flyout, then Rodgers, Wandrie, and Hartman strung together three consecutive doubles, scoring two runs in the process.
The next inning, Fowler drew a two-out walk, followed by an Epley single down the left field line. A passed ball moved the pair up a base, each, before Rodgers singled to right field to score both runs.
Despite a lead-off walk to start the top of the seventh, Roberts got the next two outs to fly out, then assisted on a groundout to secure her 10th win of the season. She wrapped up her third complete-game shutout in four starts with four strikeouts.
Game Two: No. 11 Lindsey Wilson 4, Bethel (Tenn.) 3 (8 Innings)
The Blue Raiders trailed 3-0 entering the bottom of the sixth inning.
Emerson McKinnis found a way on base off an infield error and worked herself to third when
Marissa Frolich slapped a single to the right field fence. A sacrifice flyout by
Summer Ray pushed home McKinnis, and a double by Fowler scorched off the glove of the Wildcats' third baseman plated pinch runner
Natalie Shaw to trim the deficit to 3-2.
In the top of the seventh inning, Bethel put a runner at third base with one out. On a ground ball hit to Rodgers at third base, the sophomore faked a throw to first base before turning around and catching the Wildcat runner attempting to get back to the bag.
Only minutes later, Rodgers checked in at the plate to lead off the bottom of the seventh. On a 0-1 pitch, she sized up and rocked a solo blast off the left field foul pole, tying the game.
Lindsey Wilson's defense worked around a no-out walk in the top leg of the eighth inning, setting up a chance for the offense.
Ray reached on a one-out walk and moved up to scoring position when a passed ball slipped past the Wildcats' catcher. The same at-bat, Fowler grounded a ball to third base and appeared to be out at first. However, Bethel's first baseman dropped the ball in the dirt, sending Ray around third and down the line for home.
The win is Lindsey Wilson's fourth in extra innings this season.
Murray retired nine on strikes as she gave up two earned runs on nine hits and walked two in eight innings pitched.
Lindsey Wilson and Bethel close their series at noon CT on Saturday, April 4. The Blue Raiders will recognize its senior class prior to the first pitch at approximately 11:40 a.m. CT.
