NEW CONCORD, OHIO – Freshman second baseman Alison Fiorucci (Seven Hills/Holy Name) knocked in a career-high four runs as the Baldwin Wallace University softball team defeated Muskingum University by final score of 8-6 in the first game of an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader at the Donna Newberry Field.
With the victory, the Yellow Jackets improved to 8-3 overall and 1-0 in the OAC. With the loss, the Fighting Muskies the fell to 11-4 overall and 0-1 in the OAC. The second game of the doubleheader is schedule to begin at 3:30 p.m.
Despite not playing in two weeks, the BW offense jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Junior All-OAC third baseman Lauren Feciuch (Kent/Field) led off the game with a single and advanced to second on the sacrifice bunt from junior leftfielder Nikki Peskura (Strongsville). Feciuch went to a third on a ground out and scored on the run batted-in single from senior rightfielder Alyssa Brown (Hudson). Brown advanced to second on an error. Junior first baseman Kaity Mullen (Avon Lake) was hit by a pitch giving the Jackets runners at first and second. Sophomore All-OAC shortstop Brittany Lightel (Tallmadge) loaded the bases with a single. Fiorucci then stepped to the plate and delivered a three-run RBI double to left center field. Brown, Mullen and Lightel all scored on the play.
The BW offense kept clicking and took a 6-0 lead in the top of the third inning as it plated two runs on two hits. With one out, Mullen reached on an error and went to second on the play. Lightel also reached on an error and Mullen advanced to third. Fiorucci knocked in her fourth run of the game as she singled to center field as Mullen scored and Lightel went to second. Freshman Jessica Chidsey (West Salem/Black River) knocked in the game's sixth run when she had an RBI single up the middle to score Lightel.
Muskingum would cut into the lead in the bottom of the third and fourth innings as it scored three runs in the third and two in the fourth to cut the lead down to 6-5 after four complete.
The Yellow Jackets would tack on two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning. Brown led off the inning with a single to center field. Sophomore Mackenzie Brua (Avon) came in to pinch run for Brown and advanced to second on the sacrifice from Mullen. Lightel doubled to left field bringing in Brua from second base. Lightel advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on the RBI single from Chidsey.
The Muskies scored one run in the bottom of the seventh making the final score 8-6
The Yellow Jackets offense exploded for 11 hits led by Fiorucci, Brown and Lightel, who all went 2-for-4. Fiorucci added a double and four RBI, Brown contributed a RBI and run scored and Lightel provided a double, RBI and three runs scored. Chidsey put in a 2-for-3 performance with two RBI and a stolen base. Feciuch, Peskura and junior All-OAC player Tabitha Murray (Mogadore/Field) all added a hit.
On the mound, Murray pitched all seven innings and allowed six runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.
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.
