Photo by Jean St. Fleur

McPherson, Kan. – The Central Christian College softball team was back at home this past weekend in a four game series against the Mid-America Christian University Evangels, who were "Receiving Votes" in the latest NAIA top-25 coaches poll. It was a tough weekend for the Tigers offensively, but they managed to avoid the sweep, picking up a win in the series finale.

Game 1: L, 7-0

The Tigers struggled in game one against the Evangels' "Ace", Rachel Eggleston. Eggleston tossed a one hit shutout in the opener, keeping the Tiger hitters off balance. She finished with eight strikeouts and just one walk.

Hitting: The Tigers' lone hit came in the form of a double off the bat of Destiny holt in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Pitching: Madalyn Griffin picked was shackled with the loss, allowing seven run, five of them earned, on seven hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

Leaders

Hits:                             Destiny Holt (1)

Doubles:                     Destiny Holt (1)

Triples:                        none

Homeruns:                 none

RBI:                             none

Stolen Bases:              none

Strikeouts Pitching:   Madalyn Griffin (3)

Put Outs:                    Karmen De la Cruz (5)

Assists:                        Isabel Vaughn, Camryn Frick (2)

Game 2: L, 3-0

The difference in game two was that the Evangels were able to push runs across when they got runners on base, the Tigers were not. The Tigers had the same amount of hits as their counterparts, but were unable to get key hits with runners in scoring position.

Hitting: The Tigers had five hits in game two, all of them singles.

Pitching: Sara Lynch was in the circle for the Tigers in game two. She gave up three runs on five hits with one strikeout and four walks.

Leaders

Hits:                             Olivia Roe (2)

Doubles:                     none

Triples:                        none

Homeruns:                 none

RBI:                             none

Stolen Bases:              Ashley Vaccaro, Camryn Frick (1)

Strikeouts Pitching:   Sara Lynch (1)

Put Outs:                    Halee Wallin (8)

Assists:                        Mariah Garcia (4)

Game 3: L, 10-2

Prior to the first pitch on Saturday, the Tigers took time to honor their two graduating seniors Serena Fisher, and Celeste Finch

The Tigers finally found the scoreboard in the opener on Saturday, putting up two runs. Unfortunately they were unable to keep the Evangels off the board and were ultimately run ruled in six innings.

The Tigers scored their first run in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by Amberly Barrera that scored Vaccaro. Their second run came in the third inning when Isabel Vaughn singled up the middle to drive in Vaccaro again.

Hitting: The Tigers scored their two runs on six hits. Five of the Tigers' six hits were singles, the other was a double by Destiny Holt.

 Pitching: Griffin was back in the circle for the Tigers in Saturday's opener. She worked the first three and a third innings, giving up eight runs to the Evangels. Because of four errors by the Tiger defense, only five of those runs ended up being earned runs. Haleigh Arterberry came on in relief of Griffin in the fourth inning, and went the rest of the way. He allowed two runs on three hits with one strikeout and no walks.

Leaders

Hits:                             Amberly Barrera (2)

Doubles:                     Destiny Holt (1)

Triples:                        none

Homeruns:                 none

RBI:                             Isabel Vaughn, Amberly Barrera (1)

Stolen Bases:              none

Strikeouts Pitching:   Haleigh Arterberry (1)

Put Outs:                    Serena Fisher (12)

Assists:                        Iliana Luna (7)

Game 4: W, 6-4

The Tigers wrapped up the series with a 6-4 win in game two on Saturday. They jumped out to a six nothing lead, scoring three runs in each of the first two innings, then held on for dear life the rest of the way.

In the top of the seventh, the Tigers led 6-3. They got the first two outs quickly, and then things got interesting. The third Evangel hitter of the inning walked, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Another walk gave MACU runners on first and second with the tying run at the plate. She singled to right center to drive in one run, bringing the go ahead run to the dish. Fortunately for the Tigers the next Evangel hitter struck out looking to end the threat.

Hitting: The Tigers scored their six runs on eight hits, with three of the eight going for extra bases. Barrera had the big hit for the Tigers, a two run home run in the bottom of the second inning.

Pitching: Sara Lynch bounced back on Saturday with a solid outing. She pitched a complete game, giving up four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and six walks.

Leaders

Hits:                             Amberly Barrera (2)

Doubles:                     Amberly Barrera, Abby Schleisman (1)

Triples:                        none

Homeruns:                 Amberly Barrera (1)

RBI:                             Amberly Barrera (2)

Stolen Bases:              Ashley Vaccaro, Destiny Holt (1)

Strikeouts Pitching:   Sara Lynch (5)

Put Outs:                    Halee Wallin, Destiny Holt (5)

Assists:                        Miranda Tegtmeier, Sara Lynch (2)

Coach Quote: "We got a complete game against a quality opponent on Saturday. The girls battled and got the split on our seniors' day which was nice." - Coach Scott Balbin

Next Up: The Tigers are back in action on Tuesday in a double header down in Oklahoma City against the OCU Stars. They are make-up games for a DH that was postponed a couple of weeks ago. First pitch is slated for 2:00 pm.