Game 1 Rally Propels Tigers To Key NCAC Sweep Of Kenyon

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — For the third time in nine days, the Wittenberg softball team's bats came alive in a big way, accounting for 15 or more runs in a doubleheader sweep. The stakes were higher this time, however, as Wittenberg toppled Kenyon by scores of 10-9 and 12-4.

The sweep was the first for Wittenberg against Kenyon since 2003, ironically the last time that the Tigers reached the NCAA Division III Tournament. Wittenberg improved to 18-8 overall and 3-1 in the NCAC, heading into a showdown with current league front-runner Allegheny at home on Saturday, April 7.

Wittenberg reached double figures offensively in both ends of the doubleheader, but the day wasn't without plenty of drama. In the opener, the Tigers rallied multiple times, culminating in a four-run seventh inning to turned a 9-6 deficit into a 10-9 walk-off win.

Kenyon led 3-0 before sophomore Laura Rose (Riverside, Ohio/Stebbins)banged a two-run homer over the centerfield fence. Trailing 4-3 in the fifth inning, the Tigers then struck for three runs on RBI hits by Rose, senior Tori Amicon (Galloway, Ohio/Hilliard Darby) and senior Brooklyn Cox (Dayton, Ohio/Vandalia Butler).

The lead was short-lived, however, as the Ladies struck back for five runs on a pair of long balls in the top of the sixth inning. That set the stage for the winning rally, as freshman Julia Williams (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) knocked in two runs and senior Jessica Snyder (Northfield, Ill./New Trier) tied the game with a single to center. She came around to score the winning run after freshman Carly Cribbs (Rochester, Mich./Rochester) hit a single to right and then advanced to second on the throw to third. When Kenyon tried to get Cribbs at second base, Snyder broke for home and slid in safely under the tag.

The rally made a winner out of senior Anna Kvartunas (Springfield, Va./Paul IV Catholic), who tossed a scoreless inning in relief of Williams.

In the nightcap, the Tigers cleaned up their defense after committing four errors in the opener. Kenyon, on the other hand, committed three errors to help open the floodgates for an even bigger Wittenberg offensive outburst.

The Tigers put five runs on the board in their first two at-bats and then broke the game open with six in the fourth. A lone run in the fifth inning ended the game early.

Cribbs, Rose, freshman Shelby Knapp (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield) and sophomore Rachel Ross (Westerville, Ohio/South) each finished with two hits in the second game, while Amicon and sophomore Kaitie Harrison (Springfield, Ohio/Kenton Ridge) each drove in three runs, the latter on a three-run homer that capped the six-run fourth inning.

Ross earned her ninth win of the season despite allowing nine hits and two walks in five innings.