PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. — Hannah Boardman enjoyed a five-RBI performance in the opening game of a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon (March 12) as the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College softball team split a pair at Trinity Christian (Ill.). SMWC fell in the opener by the score of 9-8 and then came back for a 7-4 victory in the nightcap.
SMWC returns to action as they head back to River States Conference play on Friday, March 14 with a pair of contests at Oakland City. First pitch is set for 3 pm (CT). The Pomeroys move to 7-5 on the season with the doubleheader split while Trinity Christian fell to 5-13.
GAME ONE:
A late rally propelled Trinity Christian to a 9-8 victory over Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon.
The game, played under sunny skies at Schaaf Athletic Complex, saw both teams trade blows throughout the contest, but it was Trinity Christian's decisive seventh inning that made the difference.
SMWC got off to a strong start, taking a 2-1 lead in the second inning after
Jaleigh Crawford and
Caeden Bennett each delivered RBI doubles. The Pomeroys extended their lead to 4-1 in the third, with a pair of runs coming on a fielder's choice from
Hailey Boardman and a walk from
Lanna Martinez that plated another run.
However, Trinity Christian responded quickly. After a two-run homer by M. Halmon in the third cut the deficit to 4-3, the Trolls tied the game at 4-4 in the fifth inning. Trinity Christian then took control in the sixth, scoring four runs, highlighted by a two-run double from Halmon that gave them an 8-4 lead.
The Pomeroys weren't done, though. In the top of the sixth,
Hannah Boardman blasted a grand slam to left field, bringing the score back to 8-8. But the Trolls answered in the bottom half, taking a 9-8 lead when Elaina Claudio was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring the go-ahead run.
Trinity Christian's pitcher, Amanda Plapp, shut the door in the seventh inning to earn the win. She pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in relief of Halmon, who allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 5.2 innings of work.
For SMWC, Boardman led the way with a five-RBI performance, including the game-tying grand slam.
Jasmine Kinzer and
Emily Singleton also contributed with two hits apiece.
Marah Wyrick (0-1) took the loss for SMWC, giving up one run on two hits in an inning of relief.
GAME TWO:
SMWC rebounded from a narrow loss in the first game of the doubleheader to defeat Trinity Christian College (IL) 7-4 in the second game, earning a split on Wednesday afternoon.
The Pomeroys used a five-run third inning to seize control of the game after falling behind 3-0 early.
Hannah Boardman sparked the offense with a solo home run in the second inning, and
Jaidyn Fuller came up big in the third with a two-RBI single.
Hailey Boardman then doubled in three more runs in the same inning, pushing the SMWC lead to 6-3.
Trinity Christian threatened in the bottom of the fourth when Simmons launched a solo home run to cut the Pomeroys' lead to 6-4, but they could not muster another rally. SMWC added an insurance run in the top of the fifth when Fuller drove in another run with a single, bringing the score to 7-4.
Alex Overman (2-2) earned the win for SMWC, pitching four innings and allowing four runs on five hits, while striking out none.
Emily Fitzwater earned the save throwing three scoreless innings and allowing just two hits while striking out two.
Hailey Boardman led the way offensively for the Pomeroys with a 2-for-4 performance, including a home run and four RBIs. Fuller also contributed with three RBIs on two hits.
