Express Defeat Macomb, Lead Suspended Game

Express centerfielder Mareshah Scott makes a diving catch in left centerfield during the first at bat of the second game today. Scott had a big first game offensively as she finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Pictured below is Michelle Hollister hitting her solo homer in the second game. Photos courtesy of Sharon Snyder/Owens Sports Information
Express centerfielder Mareshah Scott makes a diving catch in left centerfield during the first at bat of the second game today. Scott had a big first game offensively as she finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Pictured below is Michelle Hollister hitting her solo homer in the second game. Photos courtesy of Sharon Snyder/Owens Sports Information

Batting

Macomb CC
2B: none
3B: Taylor, L.
HR: none
Owens Community College
2B: Hannah Morrison; Melanie Iacoangeli
3B: Michelle Hollister
HR: none
full stats
Posted: Mar 22, 2012

By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---The Express softball team defeated Macomb 7-4 in the first game of a doubleheader at home today, and they led 3-1 through five innings of the second game before it was suspended due to darkness.

The game will be resumed May 3 when the Express travel to Macomb for a doubleheader.

Game 1: Owens 7 Macomb 4

The Express overcame a slow start to score seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 7-4 lead.

Macomb took a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning off Express starter Ashlyn Michalak. An error in the inning led to one of the runs being unearned.

After starting to see signs of an offensive breakthrough in the second and third innings (five runners left on base), the Express then broke through with two runs in the fourth inning to cut their deficit to one.

With one out, Melanie Iacoangeli singled and advanced to second an an error on the play. Hallie Thompson then walked. After a double steal put runners on second and third, Hollister grounded out to short to score Iacoangeli and Mareshah Scott had an RBI single to score Thompson.

Macomb then took a 4-2 lead with another unearned run in the fifth. However, that's when the Express took command.

Sydney Barron led off the bottom half with a single. A sacrifice bunt by Katie Butler moved her to second. An RBI double to left field then scored Jaylee Glad, who pinch ran for Barron. Following a strikeout, the Express had five straight hits.

Iacoangeli tied the game with an opposite field RBI double, Thompson had an infield single, Hollister had a two-run triple to left center, Scott had an RBI single to short and Alyssa Lassey had a single to centerfield. Barron then grounded out to short to end the inning.

Michalak then settled down to retire six of the next seven batters she faced to end the game. Her final line included seven innings, eight hits, four runs (two earned), one walk and 10 strikeouts. It is the fourth double digit strikeout game for Michalak this year.

In the first inning, Michalak's ability to strike batters out proved huge for the sophomore. After giving up a leadoff triple, she struck out the next three batters to keep the Monarchs scoreless early.

Scott finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs, Butler went 2-for-2 with a walk, Morrison was 1-for-3 with a run, a double and an RBI, Iacoangeli was 2-for-4 with two runs, an RBI, a double and a stolen base, Thompson was 1-for-2 with two runs, a walk and a stolen base, and Hollister was 1-for-3 with a run, a triple and three RBIs.

Megan Dyer took the loss for Macomb, while Morgan Thompson led the Monarchs offensively as she finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs.

Game 2: Owens 3 Macomb 1 (Suspended due to darkness)

Kasey Graham pitched well for five innings, while Hollister knocked in all three runs as the Express took a 3-1 lead through five innings before the game was suspended due to darkness.

In the second inning, Hollister had her second two-run triple of the day to score Morrison and Iacoangeli, who had both walked in the inning.

Then, in the fourth, Hollister hit a two-run home run to left field to put the Express up 3-1.

The only run Graham allowed was in the fourth when she gave up a two-out RBI double to Shanel Johnstone.

Graham's line included five innings, three hits, one run, zero walks and five strikeouts. Jessica Rives went all five for Macomb.

Hollister was 2-for-2 with a triple, a home run, and three RBIs, while Morrison was 1-for-2 with a run and a walk.

Notes

Hollister finished 3-for-5 with two triples, a home run, two runs, and six RBIs on the day. She is hitting .500 through 11 games this year.

Lassey's pinch hit single marked her season debut. She, along with Aja Hall, joined the team following the end of basketball season.

With the win in the first game, the Express are now 9-1 this year, while Macomb falls to 7-9.

Owens is scheduled to play Oakland CC this Saturday at home beginning at 1 p.m. However, rain is in the forecast. Make sure to check out our Facebook and/or Twitter page, as well as OwensExpress.com for any updates on whether the games get postponed.