Softball News
Colonels sweep doubleheader from Hanover in softball
The Centre College softball team earned its first two wins of the season sweeping a doubleheader from Hanover College winning the first game 3-1 and the second game 10-9 Wednesday, March 12 at Millennium Park in Danville, Ky.
The Colonels wasted little time getting on the scoreboard in the first game plating a run in the first inning with a run-scoring single by senior Laura Hufnagle (Lexington, Ky.).
Hanover used a pair of doubles in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game at one apiece. After a scoreless half by Centre and another scoreless half by the Panthers, the Colonels broke through in the bottom of the sixth.
Senior Lindsey Willett (Louisville, Ky.) led off the inning with a single and then stole second. Junior Jennifer Marees (Jacksonville, Fla.) then reached on an error by the shortstop scoring Willett for Centre's second run. Following a pop-up for the first out of the inning, senior Julia Hubbard (Louisville, Ky.) delivered a run-scoring double to give the Colonels a 3-1 lead.
Sophomore pitcher Charlotte Jones (Lexington, Ky.) tossed a scoreless seventh for the complete-game victory. Jones allowed only four hits and one run over seven innings while striking out nine for her first win of the season.
Hufnagle finished with a perfect game at the plate going three for three with two runs driven in. Willett also finished with multiple hits going two for three with two runs scored.
The Colonels quickly found themselves trailing 7-0 to start the second game after an inning and a half. In the bottom of the second Centre plated two runs to cut the lead to 7-2.
Following a scoreless third inning, the Colonels added another run in the fourth and two in the fifth to pull within 7-5.
Hanover answered with two runs in the top of the sixth to extend the lead to 9-5 only to see Centre answer with three more runs in the bottom half of the inning to make the scored 9-8. Senior Monica Vonderbrink (Danville, Ky.) hit a solo home run and junior Rebecca Rhule (Lexington, Ky.) added a two-run single to account for the three runs.
The Panthers went scoreless in the top of the seventh. In the home half of the inning sophomore Amber Mills led all with a single. Willett reached on an error by the third baseman giving Centre runners at first and second with nobody out.
After a pop out and a strikeout, Hubbard walked to load the bases. Hufnagle then singled to right field scoring both Mills and Willett to win the game for the Colonels.
Hubbard earned the win in relief for Centre throwing and inning and two-thirds of scoreless softball. Hubbard, Hufnagle and senior Courtney Frye (Danville, Ky.) all had two hits apiece, while Rhule finished with three hits and four runs driven in.
Centre, now 2-4 on the season, will next travel to Ridgeland, Miss. to play LaGrange College and Hendrix College Friday, March 14. First pitch of the LaGrange game is set for 4 p.m. followed by a 6 p.m. start against Hendrix. |
