Winter Haven, Fla. - The Quincy University softball team took a day break at The Spring Games and came back to a double header against the Yellow Jackets of American International University and the Rams of Shepherd University. The Hawks fell in both games, the first to the Yellow Jackets 4-3 and finishing with the Rams 3-0.
Game One vs. Yellow Jackets
The Hawks fought to be the first on the scoreboard in game one with a single from
Isabella Shields and the next three batters working to get runners into scoring position, but the Hawks fell short and kept two on the bags. The Yellow Jackets responded with a run in the top of the second off of three hits.
The Hawks finally got on the board with a run in the bottom of the third inning.
Lindsey Fischer doubled, and a single from Shields brought her home on an error. More Hawks filled the bases, but the Hawks could not get around.
The Hawks gave up three runs in the fourth and fifth innings and responded with another run in the bottom of the fifth to cut the difference.
Allison Kaiser singled in the pocket between short and third and
Kenzie Moss hit a similar ball that drew an error from the third baseman to move Kaiser to the other corner.
Jessie Martin hit up the middle to bring Kaiser home.
Quincy had its final go around the bases off a first-batter walk, a sacrifice ground out, a single, and finally a sacrifice steal that brought
Maddy Findley home.
The Hawks had one more chance to walk things off in the seventh, but a double play and singular out courtesy of the Yellow Jackets' third baseman ended the game with the Hawks short one run.
Eileen McGinnis and
KJ Weller split the game, each pitching three innings and some change.
Game Two vs. Rams
The Hawks' and Rams' defense worked well for the first half of the game, combined allowing one hit and only three batters on base. Shepherd finally got around the bags off two singles and a fielder's choice. The Hawks tried to respond, but Shields' single did not convert despite attempts to move her around the bases.
The teams went scoreless again until the bottom of the sixth inning when some pinch hitters were key for the Rams, scoring not one but two runs at the end of the game. The Hawks were unable to convert in the final inning and fell to the Rams 3-0.
Abbey Hultz pitched all six innings, striking out four.
The Hawks look to finalize their time in Florida with games against Wayne State (Michigan) and Northern State.
