SWEDES MUSCLE OUT A SPLIT WITH FALCONS 

Lindsborg, Kan. - Swede softball hosted the Friends University Falcons for a conference matchup. The Falcons took an early lead in game one from a couple bloopers and an error followed by a base hit. Although the Swedes rallied at the end of the game it was not enough to come back for the win, losing 8-5. The Swedes fell behind in game two as well but were able to make a comeback and win the game on a walk off in extra innings, winning 7-6. 

Game 1

The Falcons loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first inning. An infield single, blooper hit in no man's land behind second base and a walk loaded the bases for the Falcons. An error in the infield then scored a run for the Falcons and kept the bases loaded with 1 out. A base hit by Mitchell pushed another run across followed by a fielder's choice ground ball hit by Sigala making the score 3-0 with 2 outs. The fourth run scored on a single hit by Dunn. The third out of the inning occurred with the Falcons attempting to score the fifth run from Dunns' base hit, allowing Kierstyn McMillen to show her arm strength, throwing the runner out at home. The Swedes got out of the inning down 4-0. 

A double by Spracklen in the second inning would score another run for the Falcons, putting Friends up 5-0. The Swedes were unable to get on the board until the bottom of the third inning when Lilliana Martinez hit a single up the middle, scoring McMillen and Myranda Jimenez, making the score 5-2. 

Friends managed to score 2 more runs in the top of the fourth inning with an RBI single hit by Marshall, who scored from a sacrifice fly hit by Dallimore, making the score 7-2. 

The bottom of the fifth rolled around and Martinez hit a 3 run shot over the left field fence making it her fifth RBI of the game and making the score 7-5. 

The Falcons then loaded the bases and walked in their eighth run of the ball game, making the score 8-5.

Sasha Martello took the loss for the Swedes. Martello threw 3.1 innings, giving up 7 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 2. Cambree Aguirre came in and threw 3.2 innings, allowing 2 hits and walking 3.

Lilliana Martinez collected 5 RBIs, leading the Swedes offense. McMillen went 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk and scored twice. 

Game 2

The high scoring game stemmed from both teams tallying 10 hits each. The Swedes started off by scoring a run in the first inning with an RBI single by Melinda Cratty, scoring Amaris Guerra. 

Friends then found a way to push 2 runs in the second, third and fourth inning. Making the score 6-1 with RBIs from Dunn, Dallimore, Gale and Spracklen.

The Swedes pushed a run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Maggie Heath singled to center field, scoring Callissa Lucero. 

As the Friends bats quieted down, the Swedes bats turned up the volume, scoring 4 runs and tying up the game 6-6 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Martinez went deep for the second time of the day, hitting a 3 run HR, scoring McMillen and Guerra, 5-2. Jimenez then hit a line drive in the gap for a double and scored Lucero, 6-6. 

The score remained until the bottom of the 8th inning when Brianna Buck scored on an infield error by the third baseman, 7-6. 

Lilliana Martinez threw 8 complete innings, giving up 10 hits, 4 earned runs, 4 walks and collected a career high 9 strikeouts. Martinez went 2-for-5 at the plate with a home run (10) and 3 RBIs. 

Amaris Guerra went 3-for-5 at the plate and scored twice. Melinda Cratty went 2-for-3 at the plate with 2 walks and an RBI. Myranda Jimenez went 1-for-3 and collected 2 RBIs. 

Up next… 

The Swedes will host Tabor College for a double header on Tuesday, March 28th. First game is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM.

#RockarStockar