Big comebacks highlight home finales

FOREST CITY, Iowa - Waldorf fell behind early in both games of an NSAA doubleheader vs. Viterbo, but staged big rallies to upend the V-Hawks both times and sweep the four-game series.

In the first game Monday, Viterbo scored two runs in the top of the first inning. Waldorf tied the game with two in the second. Kierra Lynn Schulz and Timber Oakes each delivered RBI single to even the score at 2. Viterbo scored five runs in the fourth to take a 7-2 lead. It was time for Waldorf comeback No. 1 on the day. In the bottom of the fifth, Waldorf loaded the bases with one out. Madison Clark drove in the inning's first run. Schulz drew a bases loaded walk. A Paige Pierson single scored another run. Another Oakes RBI cut the deficity to one at 7-6. Later with the bases loaded, Brooke Hickey (who hit two home runs on Saturday) added on to her onslaught with a bases-clearing drive to right center. The seven-run fifth gave the Warriors a 9-7 lead. Maddie Dalke came on in relief in the fourth inning and allowed just one run on four hits. She easily retired Viterbo in the sixth and seventh innings to preserve the win.

The second game was nearly identical. Viterbo jumped out to an 8-1 lead after they scored five in the top of the fifth inning. It was time for comeback No. 2. Waldorf staged a two-out rally in their half of the fifth to counter Viterbo's five runs with five of their own. With a runner on, Hickey launched a two-run home run to deep center. Kaela Eslinger walked and Jenna Busch singled ahead of a Madison Clark three-run home run to center to trim Viterbo's lead to 8-6. The Warriors used another two-out rally to take the lead in the sixth. Marissa Boege laced a one-out double down the left field line. She advanced to third on a ground out. Gabby Bierly's infield single scored Boege to cut the deficit to 8-7. Another big hit from Hickey, this time a double to the right center field gap, scored Bierly to tie the game at 8. Eslinger followed with a single to left to score Hickey and give Waldorf a 9-8 lead. Makenzie Cope came on in relief in the fifth and allowed only one Viterbo hit over the final 2 1/3 innings to get the win.

Hickey had a remarkable four-game series at the plate. She went 7-for-12 with three home runs, two doubles, five runs, four walks, and 12 RBI.

Waldorf (9-27, 8-15 in NSAA) heads to Dickinson, North Dakota for the NSAA Tournament Friday. The No. 6 seed Warriors to play the host No. 3 seed Dickinson State in the opener of the double elimination tournament.