WNC Softball Gets Win from CSI in extra innings
Submitted by editor on Fri, 02/27/2015 - 7:34pm
Wildcats Softball opened the 2015 conference season with a triple header against the Golden Eagles of the College of Southern Idaho. The threat of weather looms for the weekend, so getting a jumpstart on the four game series was the goal of Friday's stacked schedule. After dropping the first game 2-11 in five innings, the Wildcats prevailed in the second game, topping CSI 9-8 in overtime.
Wildcat pitcher Nicole Lesniak took the loss in the first game, and Kristina George went the distance in the circle to get the win in the second game. In the final match-up, WNC fell 20-10 to the Eagles. Sadee Sorensen took the loss. The final game of the series continues at 1 p.m. tomorrow weather permitting.
In game one, the Golden Eagles struck early, scoring three runs in the first inning. For the Wildcats first at bat, Makaylee Jaussi led off with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Melanie Mecham. Golden Eagles scored two more in the second. Wildcats Kacie Freudenberger and Kelsie Callahan singled in the bottom of the inning, and Freudenberger scored on a single by Mecham. Bringing the score to 5-2 CSI. In the third inning, Nicole Lesniak singled, but was left stranded.
WNC gave up six runs in the fifth inning, resulting in a pitching change for the 'Cats. Kristina George relieved N. Lesniak in the circle, but it was too late. WNC was unable to put up runs, and CSI took the game in five innings, 11-2.
In the second game, George started in the circle for the Wildcats. CSI maintained momentum, putting up four runs to start the game. WNC answered with small ball strategy. Jaussi bunted followed by a ground out by Mecham to advance the runner. Freudenberger doubled to score Jaussi but was caught attempting to advance to third. After the first inning 4-1, CSI.
CSI added two more in the second, and kept WNC scoreless for the inning. 6-1 CSI. The Wildcats made quick work of the Golden Eagles in the top of the third, and got to work at the plate. Dakota Robinson walked and Jaussi reached on an error. Freudenberger singled, scoring Robinson. Jaussi got caught trying to go home, advancing the runners, while Briauna Carter reached on fielder's choice. A double by Lauren Lesniak scored Freudenberger and Carter to make the score 4-6, CSI. In the sixth, CSI grabbed two more runs, 8-4 CSI, but WNC allowed nothing more.
The Wildcats turned it on in the seventh when Mecham walked, and Freudenberger and Carter singled to load the bases. L. Lesniak delivered a grand slam to tie the game. N. Lesniak reached on a dropped third strike, but couldn't convert it to a run. The game continued into extra innings, knotted at 8-8.
In the eighth, WNC held the Golden Eagles and Robinson led off the inning with a walk. Jaussi reached on an error and Mecham advanced the runners to bring up Freudenberger, who hit a line drive up the middle, bringing home Robinson and winning it for the Wildcats, 9-8 in overtime.
In the final game, Sadee Sorensen started off pitching for the Wildcats, and CSI kept the pressure on, with two runs in the first inning. For the Wildcats at bat, Jaussi led off with a double, stole third and scored on a wild pitch. After one, 2-1 CSI.
The Golden Eagles put up three in the second inning and two in the third, prompting a pitching change for WNC. George returned to the circle for the Wildcats. CSI drove in three more runs before Kaitlyn Jimmy came in to replace George. In the bottom of the third Mecham led off with a single and scored on a single by L. Lesniak. At the close of the inning 10-2, CSI.
In the top of the fourth, WNC allowed CSI to score six runs, but offered hope for a comeback. Robinson and Covione led off with solo home runs, Triniece Lesky was hit by pitch, and Jaussi homered to bring the score to 16-6, CSI. Freudenberger then singled, Carter was hit by pitch and L. Lesniak singled to load the bases. Robinson singled her second at bat of the inning, scoring two. 16-8, CSI. Covione was walked prompting a pitching change in order to tame the Wildcats. Pamela Sakuma walked, scoring Samantha Bell who took Carter's place on the bases. At the end of the inning, 16-9, CSI.
In the fifth, CSI padded their lead to 20-9 with a solo home run, and a three-run homer. WNC could not recover, despite singles from Mecham and Carter. A sacrifice by L. Lesniak scored Mecham, but it wasn't enough. They fell to the Golden Eagles in five innings, 20-10.
The teams will play one additional game tomorrow. Game time is tentatively set for 1 p.m. although the weather may cause a delay.
