Softball starts season 0-2 at The Spring Games

KISSIMMEE, Fla. --- Carlow University softball lost its first two games at spring training in Florida Sunday morning.

The Celtics fell 7-2 to Thomas (Maine) College to start the day and lost 9-0 to Aurora (Ill.) University in six innings.

vs. Thomas: L, 7-2

The Terriers (1-2) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first. Back-to-back singles and a hit batter loaded the bases for Megan Oberholzer who hit a two-run double to right field. Carlow pitcher Clara Niglio picked up two strikeouts in a row, but an RBI single to center field brought in another run before the Celtics could get out of the inning.

A single and a walk put runners on for Maddie Bowes in the bottom half of the frame, and Bowes hit a single to left center to bring in Francesca Beighley and cut Thomas' lead to two.

The Celtics retired the side in the top of the third and added another run on an RBI double down the left field line courtesy of Bekah Valenti to trail, 3-2.

Thomas added two runs on one hit in the top of the fifth and retired Carlow in order in the bottom of the inning to extend their lead to 5-2. The Terriers added their final two runs off three hits in the top of the seventh to secure the victory.

Niglio was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs on six hits with three strikeouts and a walk in four innings of work.

Tatum Wiggs tossed the final three innings, allowing four runs on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks.

Bowes and Valenti hit 1 for 3 with one RBI each.

Thomas pitcher Oberholzer hit 3 for 3 with a double and three RBI and led her team in the circle with a complete game effort, allowing two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks.

vs. Aurora: L, 9-0 (6 inn.)

Madelyn Buske pitched a three-hit shutout, and the Spartans (1-0) hit a two-run double to left field with the bases loaded to end the game in a walk off to help lead Aurora to victory over the Celtics in game two.

Niglio, Bowes and Valenti recorded the only hits for Carlow in the run-rule game.

An RBI single in the bottom of the first put Aurora on the board early, and a solo home run, an RBI single and a sacrifice fly in the third gave the Spartans a 4-0 lead.

Another home run from Faith Biggs drove in two runs in the fourth, and an RBI double to left field gave Aurora a 7-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth.

The Spartans retired Carlow in order in the top of the sixth and enacted the run rule in the bottom half of the frame after a two-out single and a walk loaded the bases for Kionna King to land the walk off double.

Megan Pollinger suffered the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and a walk in four innings of work. Justena Giles tossed her first collegiate inning for the Celtics, allowing three runs on five hits with a walk in 1.2 innings.

King hit 3 for 4 with a double and four RBI, and Biggs went 2 for 4 with two home runs and three RBI to lead the Spartans. Aurora had 13 hits on the day.

The Celtics continue spring training with two games at 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. tomorrow.