By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, OH---Katie Butler's walk off RBI single capped a doubleheader sweep of Macomb Community College for the No. 16 Express softball team today.
Game 1: No. 16 Owens 8 Macomb 3
Five different players knocked in a run as the Express came back from a 2-0 third inning deficit to defeat Macomb in today's first game.
Express starter Katilyn Turski allowed a two-out, two-run single to right field from Macomb's Lauren Podgorski in the first inning to open the scoring.
In the third, the Express got an RBI double from Hannah Shank, an RBI groundout from Alyssa Lassey and an RBI double from Emily Rockman to take a 3-2 lead. The inning started with a triple by Amanda Sinay.
After Turski retired the side in order in the fourth, which marked eight straight for her, the Express offense struck again in the bottom half. They added two runs thanks to some sloppy defense from Macomb and a sacrifice fly from Melanie Iacoangeli.
Neither team scored again until the last half of the sixth when the Express scored three more times. Sinay opened the inning's scoring with an RBI single to centerfield that scored Mareshah Scott, who singled and stole second to open the inning.
Later in the inning, Sinay scored on a wild pitch and Jaylee Glad scored on an illegal pitch.
Turski then escaped trouble in the seventh when Macomb added their third run and had the bases loaded with one out. She was able to get a foul out to Rockman at third base and a fielder's choice, unassissted putout at third base to end the game.
Sinay (2-for-3, 2 R, RBI) and Rockman (2-for-3, RBI) led the Express offense with two hits apiece, while Iacoangeli, Scott and Glad each had a stolen base.
Iacoangeli, Alyssa Lassey, Rockman, Sinay and Shank each had one RBI.
Turski allowed nine hits, three runs (two earned) and one walk while striking out six over seven innings to pick up the win.
Justina Saltarelli took the loss for Macomb. She allowed six hits, eight runs (six earned) and three walks while striking out four in her six innings.
Game 2: No. 16 Owens 5 Macomb 4
Once again, the Express earned a come from behind victory in the second game, this time from three runs down in the sixth inning.
Macomb pushed across a run in each of the first three innings, while Butler's second inning solo home run accounted for the only Express run through the first three.
Macomb then added another run in the fifth inning with an RBI double by Jena Owsiany that put the Monarchs up 4-1.
Then, in the bottom half of the sixth, the Express offense awakened for three runs to tie the game.
Iacoangeli single, stole second and scored on an RBI single from Sinay, who was thrown out trying to advance to second.
After a walk by Olivia Reeder, Rockman doubled to center field, scoring Reeder and pulling the Express within one. After Butler lined out, Glad was hit by a pitch. Following that, Jolene Sauter, who pinch ran for Rockman, and Glad advanced a base each on a passed ball.
That set up a fortunate infield single for Lassey. She hit a sharp ground ball to Macomb's third baseman, who initially thought she could get a force out at third, and then realized that she had to throw to first. The throw ended up being late, allowing Sauter to score the tying run.
After Turski allowed only a two-out single in the seventh, the Express won it in the seventh. With one out, Iacoangeli singled and stole second. She moved to third on a single from Sinay, and Reeder followed with a walk to load the bases with one out.
Rockman then hit a bloop that fell in short left field, but Iacoangeli was forced out at home after having to see if the ball would drop. Butler then worked a 3-0 count, took a strike and then lined the game winning single up the middle to give the Express the 5-4 decision.
Butler (2-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI), Iacoangeli (2-for-4, R, 2 SB) and Sinay (2-for-4, R) led the Express offense. Rockman and Lassey picked up the other two RBIs aside from Butler.
Molly Gast pitched the first inning for the Express before exiting with an injury. Turski took over and pitched the rest of the way to pick up her second win of the day.
Turski allowed nine hits, three runs and one walk while striking out four over six innings, while Owsiany picked up the complete game loss after allowing 10 hits, five runs (four earned) and two walks over 6.2 plus innings. She struck out two.
Notes
The Express (12-6) will travel to Muskegon Community College on Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader. Muskegon recently dropped 3 of 4 against the Express.
