TUCSON, Ariz. – The Baldwin Wallace University softball team earned its first victory of the season as it split a pair of games on the third day of competition at the annual Tucson Invitational Games at the Lincoln Park.
BW (1-5) opened the day by falling to No. 4 nationally-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University (9-1) by a final score of 7-0. The Yellow Jackets closed out day by picking up their first win with an 8-3 decision over the University of Pittsburg at Bradford (1-7)
Against Illinois Wesleyan, BW was held scoreless on five hits. The Titans, who have allowed just 29 hits and nine runs on the season, scored seven runs on seven hits as they pushed one run across the plate in the first and two each in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
At the plate, the Yellow Jackets were led by freshman leftfielder Jackie Kasai (Columbus/Upper Arlington) as she went 2-for-3 with a double. Senior All-Ohio Athletic Conference and Academic All-OAC second baseman Alex Kozich (Avon, junior first baseman Mackenzie Milligan (Cleveland/St. Joseph Academy)and freshman right fielder Mary Nash (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) each added a base knock while Kozich provided the other extra base hit with a double.
In the circle, senior All-OAC left hander Abby Cosart (Lima/Bath) took the loss as she allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits with three strikeouts and three walks in 5.1 innings pitched. Freshman righty Emily Lesco (Wickliffe), who made her first collegiate appearance, allowed one unearned run in two-thirds of an inning.
Against Pitt-Bradford, BW scored a season-high eight runs on a season-best nine hits as it plated six runs in the second inning and two runs in the fourth. The Panthers scored three runs on seven hits as it plated all three runs in the fifth inning.
The Yellow Jackets were led by sophomore All-OAC designated player/ first baseman Ashley Matousek (Sagamore Hills/Akron Archbishop Hoban) as she went 2-for-3 with a run batted-in (RBI). BW got hits from seven other players led by senior third baseman Shelby Sprouse (Granville) as she had her first career triple and knocked in a career-high three runs.
Also picking up a hit and an RBI were senior All-OAC center fielder Macy Leach (Westerville/Central), Milligan, sophomore catcher Kayla Lorenzo (Chagrin Falls/West Geauga), who ended the game by throwing out a runner at second base, and sophomore shortstop Maranda Morrison (Avon Lake).
In the circle, sophomore All-OAC right Nikki Camarati (Brunswick/Holy Name) picked up her first win of the season as she allowed no runs on three hits with a season-best eight strikeouts and one walk in four innings Freshman Syndi Uhlenberg (Allen Park, Mich.) pitched the final three innings and allowed three unearned runs on four hits with one strikeout
The Yellow Jackets are back in action on Thursday, March 12 as they continue play at the Tucson Invitational games against Buena Vista (Iowa) University and the Bethany Lutheran (Minn.) College at Bradford at 2 and 4:30 p.m., respectively.
