Two Walk-Offs Highlight First Day of Softball Tournament
Donnie Smith
CLERMONT, Fla.—Webber International rallied from four runs down to walk off in the bottom of the seventh in the first game of The Sun Conference Softball Tournament and USCB walked off in the last game of the day in a pitcher’s duel.
GAME 1: Webber International 6, Keiser 5
Trailing 4-0 heading to the bottom of the third, Webber International responded with a four-run bottom half of the inning to tie the game. Victoria Atkinson’s two-run double tied the game, but Keiser answered in the fifth with an RBI single from Megan Carver, who was 3-for-3 with four RBIs. CC Smith tied the game at five in the seventh, then Atkinson singled to left with the bases loaded. Atkinson was 3-for-4.
GAME 2: Warner 9, Thomas 1 (5 inn.)
The sixth-seeded Royals posted 15 hits, led by Sara Bruno’s 3-for-3, 4 RBI and two double effort. Kasey Heslin added three hits from her leadoff spot and scored three runs. Starting pitcher Brooke Olinger allowed one run on four hits over five innings.
GAME 3: Webber International 3, Coastal Georgia 0
Emma Maitland scored her second win of the day by keeping top-seeded Coastal Georgia off the scoreboard. Maitland gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out one as both teams stranded eight baserunners. Atkinson added two more RBIs with a 2-for-4 showing.
GAME 4: USCB 1, Warner 0
Canyon Crosby’s RBI single in the seventh gave USCB its only run of the game. Sloan Ducey kept Warner at bay, working a complete game shutout, allowing just four hits, struck out three and walked none. The Sand Sharks had opportunities in the fifth and sixth as well with a runner on second and less than two outs, but stranded both.
TOMORROW:
9 a.m.—Thomas vs. Coastal Georgia (Elimination Game)
approx. 11:30 a.m.—Keiser vs. Warner (Elimination Game)
approx. 2 p.m.—Webber vs. USCB (Semifinal)
approx. 4:30 p.m.—Winner Thomas/Coastal Georgia vs. Winner Keiser/Warner (Elimination Game)
approx. 7 p.m.—Loser Webber/USCB vs. Winner 4:30 p.m.
NOTE
Due to the threat of rain, a rolling schedule will be used with each game starting 15 minutes after the conclusion of the preceding game.