TUCSON, Ariz. – The Baldwin Wallace University softball team scored a season-high 16 runs and rallied from an 8-1 deficit in their second of two games to earn a split on the fourth day of competition at the Tucson Invitational Games at the Lincoln Park
BW (3-5) came up short in a 4-3 decision against NAIA University of Jamestown (N.D.) to begin the day. The Yellow Jackets then erupted for a season-best 16 runs in a 16-11 win against the College of Staten Island (N.Y.).
In the day's first game, the Yellow Jackets scored three runs on seven hits and were led by sophomore catcher Brianna Jesionek (Parma/Holy Name) and sophomore pitcher Erica Morgan (Brook Park/Midpark) as each went 2-for-3 with a double. Jesionek had two RBIs and Morgan had one RBI.
In the circle, Morgan pitched a seven inning gem but suffered the loss as she allowed four runs (zero earned) on five hits with five strikeouts.
BW closed out the day with fireworks as it scored 16 runs on a season-best 20 hits. The Yellow Jackets scored at least one run in every inning, including scoring three or more runs in four innings. BW scored the game's final seven runs and did not allow a Dolphin run after the fifth inning.
The Yellow Jacket offense was led by freshman left fielder/shortstop Alicia Hack (Pickerington/North) as she was a perfect 4-for-4 with a career-best five runs scored. Senior All-Ohio Athletic Conference first players Mackenzie Brua (Avon) and Brittany Lightel (Tallmadge) each went 3-for-4. Brua had a career-high five RBIS and two runs scored while Lightel had a double, RBI and two runs scored.
In addition, sophomore All-OAC third baseman DJ Rogers (Warren/Champion) and junior outfielder Alison Fiorucci (Seven Hills) each added two hits. Rogers went 2-for-5 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored while Fiorucci was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
In the circle, sophomore Samantha Dostall (Oberlin/Firelands) picked up her team leading third win of the season as she pitched seven innings and allowed 11 runs (eight earned) on 11 hits with a season-best seven strikeouts.
BW is back in action on Thursday, March 12 when it plays a pair of non-conference games against Crown (Minn.) University and the Loras (Iowa) College on the fifth day of the Tucson Invitational. The game against Crown is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. with the Loras game slated for a 2 p.m. start.
