BEREA, Ohio – Junior Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference pitcher Erica Morgan (Brook Park/Midpark) earned both victories as the Baldwin Wallace University softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader against Hiram College in the home opener on the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds Field.
BW (8-8) came from behind in the sixth inning to take the first game by a score of 5-4. The Yellow Jackets swept the doubleheader as they won the second game by a score of 5-3.
In game one, BW scored five runs on six hits hits as it plated two runs in the first, one in the fifth and two on the game-winning triple by junior right fielder Mackenzie Nelsen (Powell/Dublin Scioto). It was the second career tripe for Nelsen and the second in the last two games. Hiram scored four runs on eight hits as it pushed two runs across in the first and one each in the third and fifth innings.
The Yellow Jacket offense was led by sophomore catcher Tori Young (Tallmadge) and freshman shortstop Erica English (North Olmsted) as each went 2-for-3 while English scored two runs. Nelsen and sophomore designated player Sierra Bennett (Tallmadge) added the other two base knocks. Nelsen had BW's lone extra base hit with the triple and had two runs batted-in (RBIs).
In the circle, Morgan pitched seven innings and allowed four runs (two earned) on hits with four strikeouts for her first win of the day.
In game two, the Yellow Jackets scored five runs on seven hits. BW scored two runs in the first on the first career homerun by sophomore catcher Lena Kortis (Massillon/Perry) and then added two runs in the third on back-to-back doubles by Bennett and freshman first baseman Alexis Boledovic (Brook Park/Midpark). The Yellow Jackets tacked on an insurance run in the fifth inning. The Terriers scored three runs on nine hits as it plated two runs in the first and one in the fifth.
Seven BW batters had a base hit led by Bennett, Boledovic and Kortis with the team's extra base knocks. Bennett and Kortis each had two RBIs and Boledovic had one. The homerun by Kortis was the first base clearing hit for the Yellow Jackets this season.
In the circle, Morgan once again pitched all seven innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits with three strikeouts to complete the back-to-back victories.
BW is back in action on Saturday, April 2 when it travels to Westerville for an OAC doubleheader against Otterbein University at the Otterbein Softball Field. Game one is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start with game two to follow at 3 p.m. The Yellow Jackets return home on Wednesday, April 6 when the team hosts an OAC doubleheader against cross-town rival John Carroll University at 3 p.m.
