Photo by Jerry Montano

McPherson, Kan. – The Central Christian College softball team played their home opener this week, hosting the Ecclesia Royals. The games were originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday, but the forecast indicated less than ideal conditions for those days, so the decision was made to push the games up to Wednesday and Thursday.

The Tigers won the series 3-1, outscoring the Royals 28 – 22 in the four games. The Tigers opened the series with a 6-4 win, In game two, the Royals led the Tigers 7-1 through four and a half innings, but the Tigers had a big fifth inning, erupting for six runs to tie the game 7-7. The two teams took the field in the top of the sixth and with one out, one of the field lights went out, forcing the umpires to suspend the game until Thursday. The two teams resumed play at noon on Thursday, and the Tigers picked up where they left off the night before. They scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth, and ended up winning game two 11-7.

Game three was the only hiccup for the Tigers in the series. The Tigers led the Royals 3-2 through two innings, but then the wheels fell off. The Tiger offense went AWOL, and the defense gave up nine unanswered runs. The game was called in the sixth inning via the run rule with the Royals on top 11-3.

Despite the melt down in game three, the Tigers regrouped, and responded in a big way, winning the game 11-0 in five innings, and securing the series 3-1. Kayla Voss had a big game for the Tigers in the circle, going the distance, and shutting out the Royals on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

Game 1: W, 6-4

Hitting: The Tigers scored six runs on seven hits, with two of them for extra bases. Amberly Barrera led the offense going 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI.

Pitching: Madalyn Griffin got the start for the Tigers. She pitched the first four and two-thirds, allowing four runs on seven hits with one strikeout and no walks. Cheslie Hirtler came out of the bullpen and worked the final two and a third, picking up her first win in a Tiger uniform. She held the Royals scoreless and hitless, with one strikeout and three walks.

Leaders

Hits:                                    Amberly Barrera (2)
Doubles:                             Amberly Barrera, Halee Wallin (1)
Triples:                                Ashley Vaccaro (1)
Homeruns:                        none
RBI:                                      Four Tigers (1)
Stolen Bases:                    Three Tigers (1)
Strikeouts Pitching:        Madalyn Griffin, Chelsie Hirtler (1)

Game 2: W, 11-7

Hitting: The Tigers scored just 11 runs nine hits hits, with three of the nine going for extra bases. Ashley Vaccaro and Paige Major both had multiple hits to lead the Tigers. Both of Vaccaro's hits were of the extra base variety a double and a triple. She finished with four RBI.

Pitching: After closing out game one, Hirtler was given the ball to start game two. She had a shaky start, giving up four runs on three hits, with one strikeout and two walks in just one inning of work. Sara Lynch came out of the bullpen and worked the next six innings, including coming back the next day after the game was suspened. She gave up three runs on six hits with one strikeout and one walk, picking up her first win of the season.

Leaders

Hits:                                    Ashley Vaccaro, Paige Major (2)
Doubles:                             Ashley Vaccaro, Karmen De La Cruz (1)
Triples:                                Ashley Vaccaro (1)
Homeruns:                        none
RBI:                                      Ashley Vaccaro (4)
Stolen Bases:                    Camryn Frick, Ashley Vaccaro (1)
Strikeouts Pitching:        Sara Lynch, Chelsie Hirtler (1)

Game 3: L, 11-3 (6 Innings)

Hitting: The Tigers struggled offensively in game three. They managed three runs on six hits with a pair of doubles. The six Tiger hits came from six different hitters.

Pitching: After picking up the win in game two, Lynch was back in the circle for the Tigers in game three. She went four and two-thirds, allowing eight runs, though only three of them were earned, with one strikeout and two walks. Ayanah Williams came out of the bullpen, but she struggled to find the strike zone, and lasted only a third of an inning. Hirtler came out of the pen to pitch the final inning, but the Royals roughed her up scoring two runs on three hits.

Leaders

Hits:                                    Six Tigers (1)
Doubles:                             Abby Schleisman, Halee Wallin (1)
Triples:                                none
Homeruns:                        none
RBI:                                      Halee Wallin (2)
Stolen Bases:                    Destiny Holt, Payton Rice (1)
Strikeouts Pitching:        Chelsie Hirtler (2)

Game 4: W, 11-0 (5 Innings)

Hitting: The Tigers found their offense again in the finale, scoring 11 runs on 15 hits with a third of them going for extra bases. Camryn Frick led the Tiger offense with a 3 for 4 performance that included an RBI and a run scored. Karmen De La Cruz was perfect from the dish going 2 for 2 with a pair of RBI.

Pitching: Kayla Voss made her first appearance this season, and it was a gem. She went the distance, scattering four hits and shutting out the Royals with three strikeouts and two walks.

Leaders

Hits:                                    Camryn Frick (3)
Doubles:                             Paige Major, Abby Schleisman, Jovita Trevino (1)
Triples:                                Ashley Vaccaro, Amberly Barrera (1)
Homeruns:                        none
RBI:                                      Karmen De La Cruz (2)
Stolen Bases:                    Destiny Holt (2)
Strikeouts Pitching:        Kayla Voss (3)

Coaches Quote:
"Went 3-1 on our opening home stand which is good.  We had one poor game where we stunk it up in all three phases.  Responded well and finished strong with an 11-0 final game." – Coach Balbin
 
Next Up: The Tigers (4-2) will go back on the road next Tuesday for a double header against the Sterling College Warriors. First pitch is slated for 3:00 pm.