Warner now has sole possession of first place in the conference
Royals Sweep Doubleheader Against #15 SCAD
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Warner University softball team took sole possession of first place in The Sun Conference after sweeping #15 ranked Savannah College of Art & Design 4-3 and 4-1 in Saturday’s doubleheader at Paulson Softball Complex.
In the first game, the Royals (22-12-1, 7-2) scored two runs in the first and the third innings but that was all that was needed as the Royals defense and pitching held the Bees (29-12, 6-3) to only five hits and three runs.
Samantha Swofford started on the bump for the Royals and pitched the complete game, allowing five hits, three runs (one earned), and surrendering one walk to claim her seventh win of the season.
Lindsay Garchinski scored the Royals first run after reaching base on an error from the pitcher. Rebecca Powell knocked in the second run on a RBI single to left field to bring in Franki Grimes.
The Garchinski, Powell and Grimes trio hooked up yet again in the third to give the Royals their final lead of the game. Garchinski singled to move Tabatha Martin to second base after Martin led the inning off with a walk. Grimes followed with a RBI single to left field to bring home Martin and to move Garchinski to second. Powell then tallied her second RBI of the game as she doubled to right field to bring home Garchinski.
SCAD responded with a run in the third and fourth innings to cut their deficit in half. The Bees would then pull within one in the sixth inning on an error that brought in Jessaca Spears. The Bees had an opportunity to tie the game or take the lead in the inning as they had runners on third and second with one out, however, the Royals defense clamped down, escaping the inning without another run scoring.
In the seventh, after walking Courtney Mienkina, the Royals registered three consecutive outs to corral the win.
In the nightcap, freshman Nikki Helms pitched a complete game gem in the first conference start of her collegiate career, holding the Bees to only five hits, one run while surrendering three walks and striking out one batter.
Senior Lindsay Garchinski continued her torrid hitting as she hit her third consecutive conference series homerun to help lead the Royals to victory, a two-run shot to give Warner their final lead of the game. Garchinski batted 2-for-3 in the nightcap with three RBI’s, bringing her team leading RBI total to 31. Powell walked in the other run for the Royals.
The Royals return home Friday to host Northwood University in their conference series opener at Daly Field. The first pitch is set for a 5 p.m. start.