MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Stevenson softball team (5-2) picked up a pair of wins during the Fast Pitch Dreams Classic, defeating Wilson (2-9) before handing UMass Boston (4-1) its first loss of the 2023 season Tuesday.
Game 1 – Wilson 4, Stevenson 14 (5 innings); WP: J. Haines (3-0); LP: M. Knerr (0-2)
Wilson jumped on the board in its first trip to the plate, scoring on a wild pitch. The first seven batters reached base safely for the Mustangs enroute to a 12-run inning in the bottom half of the first. A total of 17 hitters made a trip to the plate for the Mustangs in the inning, with nine hits and doubles from
McKenzie Tobler and Madison Bosley.
Wilson added a run in the second on an RBI single from Alyssa Wenger. The Phoenix threatened to add another in the top of the third with a runner advancing to third base, but
Jillian Haines forced a groundball to third where Tobler scooped the ball and threw to first to end the inning.
The Mustangs posted two more runs in the bottom half of the frame.
Elizabeth Russo singled and advanced to third on a double from Haines before scoring on a wild pitch. Haines crossed the plate for the 14
th run on an RBI single from
Rebecca Henry.
The Phoenix added runs in the fourth and fifth innings but were unable to score to bring their total to four.
Jillian Haines recorded her third win of the season, allowing 2 earned runs on seven hits and striking out six. Madison Bosley led the Mustangs at the plate, going 3-3 with a triple and a double and driving in two runs. Haines and
Megan Hamp each had a 2-2 day with two RBIs while
McKenzie Tobler added two stolen bases.
Game 2 – UMass Boston 8, Stevenson 11; WP: M. Heuer (2-2); LP: E Doble (2-1)
The Beacons and Mustangs battled back-and-forth in a game that was delayed almost an hour. UMass struck first, scoring a run in its first trip to the plate. The Beacons loaded the bases with one out before a sacrifice fly sent Haley Tilberry across the plate for 1-0 lead. The lead did not last long as the first two Mustang hitters reached base safely before
Jordan Fangman slapped a triple to score
McKenzie Tobler and
Maddie Bosley for a 2-1 lead.
UMass answered in the top of the second with a four-run inning with a walked in run and bases-clearing three-RBI triple from Lauren Miner. The Mustangs tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom half of the inning with a 2-RBI triple from
Katie Dainton followed by a sacrifice fly from Tobler.
Marissa Heuer retired the top half of the third in order for the first scoreless frame of the game. The Mustangs regained their lead in the bottom half of the inning with a 2-RBI double from
Rebecca Henry for a 7-5 lead.
The back-and-forth trend continued as the Beacons scored two in the top of the fourth to knot the game at 7 apiece. Stevenson threatened in the bottom of the fourth with Tobler reaching third with one out but a double play ended the inning and the threat.
With each pitcher retiring the side in order in the fifth inning, UMass regained the lead with a run in the sixth. However, Stevenson used a four run sixth to leverage an 11-8 lead.
Kat Perea scored on an RBI single from
McKenzie Tobler. Tobler scored on an error with the bases loaded before
Marissa Heuer slapped a double to send
Maddie Bosley and
Jordan Fangman across the plate.
Heuer retired the Beacons in order in the seventh, striking out the final two batters to seal the 11-8 victory for the Mustangs.
Marissa Heuer picked up her second win of the season, allowing seven runs on 10 hits while striking out seven hitters and stranding seven runners on base.
McKenzie Tobler and
Rebecca Henry each went 3-3 at the plate and added two RBIs each.
What's Next
Stevenson completes its trip to the Fast Pitch Dreams Classic with two games on Wednesday, March 15. The Mustangs will face Albertus Magnus at 9am before taking on Scranton at 11am
