Photo by Jean St. Fleur

McPherson, Kan. – The Central Christian College softball team played their season opener at home on Tuesday afternoon against the Sterling College Warriors.

For the Warriors this was their seventh and eighth games, and it showed. It took a while for the Tiger hitters to get into a rhythm at the plate, and in the field first game jitters were apparent as they had eight errors in the two games.

It got better for the Tigers as the games went on, but unfortunately Sterling was able to sweep the double header.

Game 1: L, 9-0

Hitting: The Tigers were shutout in the opener, scattering just three hits. But to be fair, the Sterling defense robbed the Tiger hitters of sure hits on at least four occasions by making spectacular plays.

Pitching: Sara Lynch got the start in the circle for the Tigers in game one. She worked the first five innings, allowing six runs, five of them earned, on seven hits. She walked four, and struck out two. Madalyn Griffin came on in relief of Lynch in the sixth inning. She gave up three runs, just one earned, on one hit. She finished with three walks and no strikeouts.

Leaders

Hits:                                    Destiny Holt (2)

Doubles:                             Destiny Holt, Halee Wallin (1)

Triples:                                none

Homeruns:                        none

RBI:                                      none

Stolen Bases:                    none

Strikeouts Pitching:        Sara Lynch (2)

Put Outs:                            Halee Wallin (9)

Assists:                               Isabel Vaughn (5)

Game 2: L, 7-2

Hitting: Overall, things were better offensively for the Tigers. They scored a pair of runs on nine hits that included eight singles and a double. They stranded 9 runners on base throughout the game, several in scoring position.

Pitching: Kayla Voss was in the circle for the Tigers in game two. She went five and two-thirds allowing seven runs, six of them earned, on nine hits. She had two walks and no strikeouts. Griffin came on again in game two, throwing the final inning and a third. She held the Warriors scoreless, scattering three hits and striking out two.

Leaders

Hits:                                    Camryn Frick, Iliana Luna (2)

Doubles:                             Amberly Barrera (1)

Triples:                                none

Homeruns:                        none

RBI:                                      Amberly Barrera, Iliana Luna (1)

Stolen Bases:                    Ashley Vaccaro (1)

Strikeouts Pitching:        Madalyn Griffin (2)

Put Outs:                            Halee Wallin (11)

Assists:                               Kayla Voss, Iliana Luna, Camryn Frick (3)

Coach Quote: "In our first game, we were pressing a little, and it showed in our defense and our approaches at the plate.  We did a much better job making adjustments at the plate in the second game.  We showed our youth and inexperience today but learned what we need to work on for the future." – Coach Scott Balbin
 
Next Up: The Tigers were scheduled to be back in action on Friday on the road at Southwestern College, but weather has canceled those games. However, weather permitting they will get to play Saturday in North Newton, Kansas against the Bethel College Threshers. The double header is set to begin at 1:00 pm.