KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Baldwin Wallace University softball team opened the 2018 season as it split a pair of games at Diamond 9 Sunkissed March Games at Osceola County Softball Complex.
BW won the season opener against Bluffton University by a final score of 6-2. The Yellow Jackets dropped the second game of the day against Thiel (Pa.) College by a final score 6-4.
In game one, BW scored six runs on seven hits as it plated two runs in the first, one run in the fourth, two runs in the fifth and one in the seventh. Bluffton scored two runs on five hits as it pushed both runs across the plate in the fourth inning.
BW was led by sophomore centerfielder Macy Leach (Westerville/Central) as she went 2-for-3 with two runs batted-in (RBIs) and one run scored. Five other Yellow Jackets had a base knock with junior All-OAC shortstop Erica English (North Olmsted) and senior pitcher Sam Mott (Frewsburg, N.Y./Central) each had an RBI.
In the circle, Sam Mott (Frewsburg, N.Y./Central) won her 11th career game as she allowed two unearned runs on five hits with five strikeouts and just one walk.
In game two, BW scored four runs on 12 hits as it plated two runs in the fifth and six innings. Thiel scored six runs on eight hits as it pushed one run across the plate in the first, two runs in the fifth and three runs in the sixth.
The Yellow Jackets were led by sophomore second baseman Alex Kozich (Avon) as she went 4-for-5 with three runs scored, four putouts and four assists. Freshman designated player Mackenzie Milligan (Cleveland/St. Joseph Academy), junior All-OAC right fielder Alexis Boledovic (Brook Park/Berea-Midpark) and English all had two base hits. Milligan was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Boledovic was for 2-for-5 with a run scored and English was 2-for-2 with a run scored. Freshman leftfielder Hailey Owens (Lakewood) and junior catcher Sami Minor (North Royalton) had the final two hits. Owens was 1-for-4 with two RBIs and Minor was 1-for-2.
In the circle, freshman lefty Abby Cosart (Lima/Bath) made her first collegiate start as she allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts and one walk in five innings. Sophomore righty Nikki Turner (Hudson) pitched the final two innings and allowed one run on one hit with one strikeout and two walks.
BW continues its spring break trip on Monday, March 6 as it plays a pair of games against Alfred (N.Y.) University and Montclair State (N.J.) University on the Osceola Complex Field #3 at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.