Lady Bulldogs Overcome Tough Hornet Club 8-7
ASHBURN, VA - Despite facing one of the more challenging pitchers they've seen (Ball State signee Katie Rynex), and a 4 for 4 performance by Herndon's first baseman Lauren Kuhns, the Bulldogs were able to manufacture enough runs for the win.
The game was scoreless through three innings, before Herndon broke things open with 5 runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Bulldogs countered by getting on the board with a run in the bottom of the frame, on a single by senior Stephanie St. Peter, who was sacrificed to second on a bunt by Ashley Gardner and driven in when junior Lauren Wolz doubled.
Keeping Herndon off the scoreboard in the top of the fifth, Stone Bridge got back to work offensively with a leadoff double by Michele Mocabee. Natalie Driskill bunted to get Mocabee to third, but the throw to first by Herndon pitcher Katie Rynex was high, allowing Mocabee to score. As Rynex struggled pitching to Kayla Lechler, Driskill advanced to third on two passed balls, and Lechler walked, taking second on another passed ball. St. Peter drew a full count and fouled off two more pitches before walking the bases loaded for Bulldog pitcher Gardner, who doubled in two runs to bring Stone Bridge within one.
Gardner retired the side in order in the top of the sixth, and the Bulldog offense picked up where it left off, with Mocabee reaching on an error. After a single by senior Lauren Williams, junior catcher Kayla Lechler doubled in Mocabee for the tying run, and St. Peter followed with a double of her own to drive in Williams and Lechler, making the score 7-5 going into the 7th and final inning.
The Hornets were not giving up, and tied the score at 7 on an error and four hits in the top of the 7th. It was all very familiar to the Bulldogs though, who have won 3 of their last four games in the bottom of the 7th inning. Leading off for the Bulldogs, Wolz reached on a misplayed fly ball to right, taking second base on the error. Senior Lauren Jennings' single moved pinch runner Caroline Kittinger to third, and Cassie Phillips singled to right to drive Kittinger in for the win.
The Bulldogs improve to 19-6 and advance to the Northern Region semi-final.
Stats leaders for the Bulldogs:
St. Peter: 2 for 3, double, 1 run scored, 2 RBI
Wolz: 2 for 4, double, RBI
Lechler: 1 for 2, double, 2 runs scored, RBI
Gardner: 1 for 3, double, 2 RBI, sacrifice
Williams: 1 for 3, run scored
Driskill: 1 for 4, run scored
Jennings: 1 for 4
Phillips: 1 for 3, game-winning RBI
Michelle Mocabee: 1 for 3, 2 runs scored
Winning Pitcher: Ashley Gardner - 1 walk, 11 hits.
