By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Myrtle Beach, SC---Tyniesha Wilson's huge day helped the No. 19 Express softball team pick up two much needed wins in Myrtle Beach today.
Game 1: Owens 12 No. 17 CCBC Catonsville 8 (7 Innings)
The Express scored four runs in the third, sixth and seventh innings en route to a 12-8 victory over No. 17 CCBC Catonsville.
Olivia Reeder got the scoring started for the Express in the third with an RBI single. Molly Gast followed with an RBI single of her own. Reeder would later score on an error, while Gast scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-0.
After a two-run single from CCBC's Erin Pronobi cut the Express lead in half in the fifth, the Express scored four more in the sixth.
Wilson hit her first career home run, a two-run shot to right center, that scored Jaylee Glad to make it 6-2. Melanie Iacoangeli would later score on a CCBC defensive misplay before Emily Rockman lined an RBI double off the left field fence to make it 8-2.
In the bottom half, CCBC got a two-run home run from Eleni Wright to pull back within 8-4.
Then, in the seventh, Reeder had a two-run double, and Gast hit her first career home run during the following at bat to make it 12-4 Express.
The Express then gave up four runs in the bottom of the seventh due to some sloppy defense. All four runs were unearned in the inning, but they hung on for the win.
Katilyn Turski went the distance to pick up her first collegiate win. Her final line was seven innings, seven hits, eight runs (four earned), two walks and five strikeouts.
Samantha O'Connor picked up the loss for CCBC. She allowed 15 hits, 12 runs (10 earned) and one walk in seven innings.
Wilson finished 4-for-4 with three runs, two RBIs and two stolen bases, while Reeder was 2-for-4 with two runs, three RBIs and a stolen base. Gast finished 2-for-5 with three runs and three RBIs, Rockman was 2-for-5 with an RBI and Iacoangeli was 2-for-4 with three runs.
Pronobi (1-for-4, 2 RBI) and Wright (1-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI) led CCBC's offense.
Game 2: Owens 9 Delta College 8 (7 Innings)
The Express won another wild game thanks to the offense of Reeder and Wilson.
Reeder went 4-for-4 with a run and an RBI, while Wilson finished 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI.
In the second, a bases loaded passed ball scored Wilson to open the game's scoring. Iacoangeli followed with a two-run triple to left center, and Reeder followed her with an RBI single to make the second inning the fourth four run inning of the day for the Express.
In the third, Rockman scored in a wild pitch to make it 5-0 Express before Delta exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning to take the lead.
In the fifth, the Express took the lead back with a three run outburst. Reeder opened the inning with a double. She, along with Amanda Sinay, scored on a two-run double from Rockman. Wilson later tripled her home to make it 8-7.
In the sixth, Sinay's sacrifice fly scored Wilson to make it 9-7. Delta got an RBI double in the seventh, but stranded a runner at third to end the game.
Gast started for the Express and cruised early before running into trouble during Delta's seven run fourth. She totaled 3.2 innings, eight hits, five runs and six strikeouts.
Turski relieved her and picked up the win (2-2). Her final line was 3.1 innings, seven hits, three runs, one walk and two strikeouts.
Notes
The Express are now 4-4 this year. They will take on Delta College twice tomorrow beginning at 9 a.m.
Wilson, who went 7-for-7 with four runs, three RBIs and two stolen bases. In one day, she became the team's leading hitter at .529.
Reeder went 6-for-8 with three runs, four RBIs and a stolen base. She is now hitting .400 in eight games.
As a team, the Express are now hitting .363. Mareshah Scott was caught stealing today, the first time that has happened to her in her Owens career. She is now 35-for-36 in stolen base attempts in her one plus years.
Today's win over CCBC Catonsville was the second of the season for the Express. They won 5-4 against CCBC on Monday, as well.
