TUCSON, ARIZ. -- The Baldwin Wallace University softball team's offense erupted for 13 runs on 18 hits as it defeated Chatham (Pa.) University today (Tuesday, March 12, 2013) by a final score of 13-6 at the Tucson Invitational Games at the Lincoln Park Softball Complex.
With the victory, the Yellow Jackets improved to 4-2 overall and will play four more games in Arizona. With the loss, the Cougars fell to 0-5 overall.
Chatham scored two runs in the top of the first inning to take an early lead.
BW answered with six runs in the bottom of the second inning. Junior first baseman Kaity Mullen (Avon Lake) led off the inning with a single to right center and advanced to third on the double from All-Ohio Athletic Conference shortstop Brittany Lightel (Tallmadge). Mullen scored on the run batted in (RBI) single from senior leftfielder Ashley Elber (Huron/Edison). Lightel advanced to third and Elber went to second on the throw. Lightel scored on the RBI single from junior pitcher/leftfielder Nikki Peskura (Strongsville). Elber advanced to third on the play and Peskura went to third on the throw. Junior centerfielder Kate Carabin (Norwalk/St. Paul) loaded the bases with a bunt single. Elber scored on a passed ball and Peskura and Carabin each advanced a base. Junior All-OAC third baseman Lauren Feciuch (Kent/Field) singled to right center as Peskura and Carabin each scored. After the Cougars got the first out of the inning, junior All-OAC player Tabitha Murray (Mogadore/Field) singled down the right field line and Feciuch went to third. Feciuch scored on the RBI single to center field from senior rightfielder Alyssa Brown (Hudson) and Murray advanced to second.
Chatham responded with three runs in the top of the third inning to cut the lead down to 6-5. In the bottom half of the inning, the Yellow Jackets would tack on another run. Elber led off the inning with a double down the right field line and advanced to third on a passed ball. Elber would score when Carabin reached on an error by the first baseman. BW would load the bases but were unable to push any other runs across the plate.
The Cougars would score only one more time in the top of the fourth inning before the Yellow Jackets would score six runs in the next three innings.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, BW would add another run when Mullen led off the inning with a single. Lightel would reach on an error and Mullen came all the way around from first to score while Lightel would end up on second.
The Yellow Jackets scored three more times in the fifth inning when Feciuch led off the inning by reaching third on a throwing error. Feciuch scored on the RBI double by Fiorucci. Fiorucci scored on the RBI double from Murray. Murray advanced to third on a ground out and scored when Lightel reached on error.
BW would score the final two runs of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, junior pinch hitter Melissa Vermes (Middleburg Heights/Midpark) recorded her first career Yellow Jacket hit as she singled. Vermes advanced to second when sophomore pinch hitter Jenna Sammon (Hinckley/Medina Highland) tallied her first career hit as she singled up the middle. Vermes scored and Sammon advanced to third on the first career RBI double to right center for sophomore pinch hitter Lauren Mims (Wellington). Murray would walk to put runners at the corners. Brown's RBI single to center scored Sammon for the final run of the game.
The BW offense exploded for 13 runs on 18 hits with 10 RBI. Feciuch led the attack as she went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Brown, Elber, Mullen and Murray all added two hits while Carabin, Fiorucci, Lightel, Mims, Peskura, Sammon and Vermes all contributed a hit. Brown was 2-for-5 with 2 RBI, Elber went 2-for-4 with a RBI, double and two runs scored, Mullen was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a double and Murray went 2-for-3 with a RBI, run scored and a double. Carabin, Fiorucci, Mims and Peskura all added a RBI.
On the mound, the Yellow Jackets used two pitchers in Peskura and Murray. Peskura started her first career game and pitched two and one third innings. She allowed five runs on six hits with two strikeouts and no walks. Murray, who improved to 4-2, came in relief and pitched the final four and two third innings. She allowed one run on three hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.
BW continues its play at the Tucson Invitational on Wednesday, March 13 when it plays a pair of games against Sul Ross State (Texas) University and Edgewood (Wis.) College. The game against Sul Ross will begin at 12:00 p.m. with the Edgewood game to follow at 2:00 p.m.
FOR MORE BW SPORTS INFORMATION, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu or Assistant SID Jeff Miller by phone at 440-826-2780 and email at jefmille@bw.edu. Fans can access the latest BW athletics information at www.bwyellowjackets.com and we invite you to join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bwyellowjackets and Twitter at http://twitter.com/bwathletics.