TUCSON, Ariz. – The Baldwin Wallace University softball team opened its 2020 season by dropping two games at the annual Tucson Invitational Games at the Lincoln Park.
BW (0-2) opened the day by dropping a 9-3 decision to Bethany Lutheran (Minn.) College. The Yellow Jackets ended the first day of its five day spring break schedule by falling to No. 1 nationally-ranked and defending NCAA Division III Champion Texas Lutheran University by a final score of 12-0 in six innings.
Against Bethany Lutheran, BW scored three runs on one five hits as it one run in the first and added two more in the third. The Vikings scored nine runs on seven hits as they scored two runs in the sixth and seven runs in the seventh.
At the plate, the Yellow Jackets got a base hit from senior All-Ohio Athletic Conference and Academic All-OAC second baseman Alex Kozich (Avon), senior All-OAC center fielder Macy Leach (Westerville/Central), sophomore short stop Maranda Morrison (Avon Lake) and freshman leftfielder Jackie Kasai (Columbus/Upper Arlington). Kasai had the lone extra base hit as she hit a double on her first collegiate at bat. Leach added a stolen base.
In the circle, sophomore All-OAC right hander Nikki Camarati (Brunswick/Holy Name) took the loss as she allowed eight runs (four earned) on five hits with 10 strikeouts and four walks in 6.2 innings. Freshman righty Sydni Uhlenberg (Allen Park, Mich.) made her first collegiate appearance in relief and allowed one unearned run on two hits in a third of an inning.
Against the Bulldogs, BW got one hit from Kasai. The Yellow Jackets reached base two other times as Kasai and junior first baseman Mackenzie Milligan (Cleveland/St. Joseph Academy) each drew a walk.
In the circle, senior All-OAC left hander Abby Cosart (Lima/Bath) took the loss as she allowed seven runs on 11 hits with one strikeout in four innings. Sophomore righty Hannah Welling (Ravenna) pitched the final two innings and allowed five runs on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks.
BW is back in action on Tuesday, March 10 as it continues play at the Tucson Invitational games against No. 4 nationally-ranked East Texas Baptist University and Sul Ross (Texas) University at 12 and 2 p.m., respectively.
