Softball Splits Final Day of Play in Florida

MELBOURNE, FL - Softball split their last two games in Florida with a 3-1 loss to Defiance and a 5-4 win to Lourdes on Monday.

Reagan Ridout started game one against Defiance. Defiance would score two runs in the top of the first from 2 hits and 3 errors by the Warrior infield. Waldorf rebuttal with their own run in their frame of the first with an infield single from Gabby Bierly. She stole second and eventually scored on a single from Haley Ehlert to right field. Ridout would keep Defiance scoreless for an additional two innings. Freshman Mackenzie Zimmermann would enter the game to throw in the fourth allowing no runs through the sixth. Junior Geneva Molina would enter the game in the seventh and Defiance would score their third and final run via a walk and an error from third baseman Haley Ehlert. Waldorf would be shut down the rest of the game ending with only 5 hits and 7 strikeouts. 

Freshman Jaycee Plath would start and go a complete 7 innings for game two against Lourdes University. 

The Gray Wolves would score in the top of the first from an infield single and an error from Haley Ehlert. The Warriors would return with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. Reagan Ridout drew a lead-off walk and would eventually score on an error from the Lourdes first baseman. Plath would hold Lourdes scoreless through the 2nd and 3rd, as were the Warriors. In the top of the 4th, the Gray Wolves grabbed two more runs from a walk, a single to right field, and a double to left center. 

The Warriors took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. A lead-off single from Haley Ehlert would get things going for the Waldorf offense. This was followed by a single to right from Timber Oakes, a reach on error by Alyssa Maldonado, a sacrifice fly to right field from Kierra Lynn Schulz, and an RBI ground ball to second base from Paige Pierson. Plath would hit in the go ahead run with a single to right field. Lastly, junior Dionne Lopez would hit a towering triple to left center field for the Warriors 5th and final run of the game. This run would end up being the winning run. 

Lourdes came within one in the top of the 6th. An error by center fielder Timber Oakes would end up scoring on a double to left center field. Plath was then able to shut down the Gray Wolf offense for the rest of the inning and into the 7th. Plath threw a total of 91 pitches with 6 Ks for the Warriors first win of the season and her first career win. 

The Warriors will play a non-conference doubleheader against Dakota State at home on March 18th at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.