Alexandria, La. – The Central Christian College softball team opened up their 2024 season with a 10 hour road trip to Alexandria, Louisiana, taking part in the Louisiana Christian Invitational hosted by Louisiana Christian University. The Tigers were scheduled to play two games on Friday, then finish the weekend with two more on Saturday.
The weather was absolutely beautiful on Friday for the season opener, 70 degrees with sunshine and a light breeze. The Tigers opened the weekend against the Stephens College Stars out of Columbia, Missouri.
The Tigers built up a 6-0 lead through six innings of play, and Madelyn Griffin, who was in the circle for the CCCK ladies had a no-hitter going up to that point. In the bottom of the seventh, the Stars mounted a comeback, scoring four runs in the inning, three of them coming with two outs, aided by a throwing error and a passed ball.
With runners on the corners, and the winning run at the plate, Griffin, with ice in her veins calmly struck out the Stars' pinch hitter looking for the final out of the game.
Game 1: W, 6-4
Hitting: The Tigers scored six runs on 10 hits, with two of them for extra bases. The Tigers scored two in the 3
rd on a two RBI double by
Destiny Holt, two more in the 4
th on an RBI single by
Camryn Frick, and then
Miranda Tegtmeier scored from third when Frick was caught trying to steal second base. The last two runs came in the sixth. Tegtmeier scored again on a throwing error by the Stars, and
Payton Rice score on a sacrifice fly by
Paige Major.
Major had a big game for the Tigers in her college debut. She finished the game going 3 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Pitching: Madalyn Griffin pitched a complete game, going seven innings and giving up four runs, two of them earned, on four hits with 11 strikeouts and 2 walks.
Leaders
Hits: Camryn Frick,
Paige Major (3)
Doubles: Destiny Holt,
Miranda Tegtmeier (1)
Triples: none
Homeruns: none
RBI: Camryn Frick,
Destiny Holt (2)
Stolen Bases: Three Tigers (1)
Strikeouts Pitching: Madalyn Griffin (11)
Put Outs: Destiny Holt (11)
Assists: Madalyn Griffin (3)
Game 2: L, 10-1
In the second game on Friday, the Tigers squared off against the host school, the LCU Wildcats. Offensively, the Tigers struggled against the Wildcat pitcher, scoring just one run. Defensively, the Tiger pitchers struggled to find the umpire's strike zone which led to six walks for the Wildcat hitters and 10 runs on the scoreboard.
The game was shortened to five innings via the run rule, which is eight runs after the 5
th inning.
Hitting: The Tigers scored just one run on just two hits, a single by Frick and a double by
Amberly Barrera. The Tiger run was driven in by
Abby Schleisman on a sacrifice fly.
Pitching: Sara Lynch got the start in the circle for the Tigers and went three innings, allowing five runs on five hits with four walks and just one strikeout. Freshman
Ayanah Williams came one in relief
of Lynch. She pitched 1 and a third, also allowing five runs on five hits with two walks and zero strikeouts.
Leaders
Hits: Camryn Frick,
Amberly Barrera (1)
Doubles: Amberly Barrera (1)
Triples: none
Homeruns: none
RBI: Abby Schleisman (1)
Stolen Bases: none
Strikeouts Pitching: Sara Lynch (1)
Put Outs: Payton Rice (3)
Assists: Miranda Tegtmeier,
Karmen De La Cruz (1)
Coaches Quote:
"For our first two games of the season I like where we are at. Came out and got first win of the season behind strong pitching and timely hits. Second game we competed but it got away from us as we struggled to fine the zone on defense and the bats fell silent. Happy to get the season started." – Coach Balbin
Next Up: The Tigers were scheduled to play two games Saturday, but weather moved in from the Gulf overnight, and the games were rained out. Their next action will be their home opener Friday February 16 against Ecclesia College. First pitch is slated for 12:00 pm.
