Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
by Benny Benton
WILSON, N.C.-Senior pitcher Emily Jordan tossed a complete-game three-hitter and junior third baseman Amber Weaver went 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of runs scored as Barton College downed visiting Mansfield University, 4-1, in the opening game of a non-conference softball doubleheader Sunday at Jefferies Field.
Senior pitcher Kendall Street also turned in a complete-game three-hitter in the nightcap for the Lady Bulldogs, but the Barton offense could not provide any support, managing just three hits of its own in a 1-0 loss to the Mountaineers.
The split left Barton with a 7-8 record on the season, while Mansfield moved to 4-2 on the year.
Jordan gave up just one hit over the first six innings – a second-inning double to Chrissy Lauer – and faced just two batters over the minimum during that period. The Mountaineers broke up the shutout in the seventh, helped by Lauer's second double of the game and a sacrifice fly. However, Jordan struck out pinch-hitter Alanna Jenkins – the potential game-tying run – to end the game. Jordan (2-2) struck out eight in the contest while walking just two.
Barton took a 1-0 lead in the game off Mansfield starter Caitlin Klobosits (0-1) in the fourth inning. Weaver led off the inning with a double to right-center, and scored two batters later on a double to left-center by Rebecka Morgan.
The Bulldogs added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Weaver again led off the inning with a hit, this time a single. Pinch-hitter Alex Baylis drew a walk, and Morgan singled to load the bases with no one out. An error at second allowed Weaver to score, and two more runs came home on a fly ball by Jordan, one on a sacrifice fly and another on the errant throw home.
In game two, Street (2-2) struck out five and walked just one in her half of the pitching duel, but Mansfield's Kate Pratt (2-0) was even better, striking out seven while not walking a batter in the shutout.
Barton had its best chance to score off of Pratt in the third inning, when Autumn Pittman opened the inning with a single to center, then moved to second on a bunt single by Baylis. However, Pratt got a big strikeout, a grounder back to the mound and a grounder to third to get out of the inning unharmed.
Pratt then helped herself at the plate, leading off the top of the fourth with a single to center. She was replaced at first base by Courtney Bauder two batters later on a fielder's choice. Bauder then stole second and scored the game's only run on a Kaitlyn Harris single to right.
From there, Pratt did the rest, retiring the final 12 Barton batters in order to protect the lead.
The doubleheader was the beginning of a lengthy 12-game home stand for Barton, which will continue on Monday with a 3 p.m. twinbill against Pace University at Gillette Park.
