MYRTLE BEACH, SC – After a disappointing 4-3 loss to open the day, the Hilbert College softball team bounced back and captured a 7-4 victory under the lights tonight to improve to 2-3 in the Fastpitch Dreams tournament.
Different players led in each game today, showing the depth in the 2017 roster. In the Hawks 7-4 win over Gwynedd Mercy, four players posted two or more hits and six different players were credited with an RBI while earlier in the day, two other players posted multiple hits.
The second game of the day started later than expected but Hilbert came ready to play.
Brittany Cooley and
Morgan McNeill each went 3 for 4 with an RBI against Gwynedd Mercy and
Nateal Papasergi knocked in two runs going 2 for 4 with a triple in the mix.
Marisa McIntyre earned her second win of the season with an impressive effort striking out nine while giving up six hits and four earned runs.
Hilbert knotted the score at 1-1 in the top of the 5th when Papasergi's triple knocked in the Hawks' first run. Trailing 2-1 at the top of the 7th, Hilbert turned on the offense and scored six more runs to build a 7-2 score.
Gwynedd Mercy, down 7-2, scored two quick runs off a double from their 5th batter in the 7th inning with only one out. The Hawks picked up the second out of the inning by throwing out a runner trying to steal home just before McIntyre strikes out the final batter swinging for the win.
In the opening game of the day, with bases loaded, Hilbert took the lead late in the game but Wilkes University (4-0) strung together a 7th inning rally to win, 4-3.
The Hawks trailed 1-0 through the first five innings before Hilbert found their timing at the plate.
Nateal Papasergi singled but was then forced out at second off
Rebecca Bailey's fielder's choice tap.
Gabriella Bongiorno and
Morgan McNeill made it to first base with hits to the outfield and set the table for
Morgan Grosch. She delivered the punch which sent two home and gave Hilbert a one-run lead.
Jenna Castricone's single to left field sent McNeill home for the 3-1 lead as the teams headed to the bottom of the sixth.
Twice Wilkes put runners at each corner with two outs against them in the bottom of the seventh. A fielding error by the Hawks allowed the Colonials to score one run and then a hard hit towards the left side of second base caused problems. After a collision and confusion, two runners made it home for the win.
Gabriella Bongiorno went 2 for 2 with a run scored and
Morgan Grosch went 2 for 3 with a 2RBI hit.
Victoria Dzaak went the full game, faced 29 batters giving up four hits, one earned run and struck out three.
The Hawks (2-3) head back to the park tomorrow for two more games. They will battle Randolph College at 11:30 and then will face Penn College at 1:30 pm.
