CLERMONT, Fla. - After rain wiped out the second day of games in Union softball's Florida trip to open the 2024 season, the Garnet Chargers returned to doubleheader action Saturday with the weather cleared and fell to #14 Tufts 4-0 in game one before Lawrence University held off a late Garnet Chargers comeback attempt to win game two 7-6.
 
Game One: Tufts 4, Union 0
 
With just one day of competition under their belts, Union's return to action early Saturday morning after their unintended day off Friday would provide the Garnet Chargers with a tough task, taking on NFCA #14 ranked Tufts and their ace Sophia DiCocco.
 
The only hit Union starter junior Autumn Duff allowed over the first two innings was a two-out bunt single in the second, but the Jumbos would spread their four runs in the ballgame across the next four innings, plating one in four consecutive frames off three RBI singles and a solo home run to grab the lead.
 
Duff did an admirable job limiting Tufts to just those four runs, stranding six runners in the third through sixth innings, and an additional one in the second and seventh innings, to keep her offense within striking distance.
 
Union would be unable to put together much of a response however, as their four hits in the contest came individually in the fourth through seventh innings. Junior Riley Callahan would account for two base hits with Duff and junior Tatum Perkins each picking up one of their own, but Union would be unable to move a baserunner past first base safely as they ultimately fell, 4-0.
 
In the circle, Duff put together one of the strongest outings of her collegiate career. The Burnt Hills native went the distance for her third career complete game, allowing three earned runs while striking out three in her seven innings toeing the rubber.
 
Game Two: Lawrence 7, Union 6
 
Union returned to action in the middle of the afternoon and wasted no time grabbing an early lead. After junior Melody Kappel and sophomore Ellie Wintringer drew back-to-back one out walks in the top of the first, a fielding error off the bat of Perkins allowed Kappel to come around and score to give the Garnet Chargers the lead in the first at-bats of the game.
 
Lawrence responded strongly however, answering with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first as they claimed the next seven runs across the first three innings to take an extended lead into the fourth.
 
Still looking for their first hit, Perkins kicked off the rally for the Garnet Chargers in the top of the fourth with a leadoff double. After sophomore Haley Gibbons walked and a fielder's choice off the bat of first-year Sophia Gomes put runners back on first and second, a single from first-year Cassie Wiggins scored Gibbons to make it 7-2.
 
Wiggins would come on in relief of Kappel in the circle in the bottom of the fourth and retired the Vikings in order. Laney Martens led off with a triple for Lawrence in the bottom of the fifth, but a strong throw on a softly hit ground ball from a charging first-year Sam Rose at short got Martens at the plate to prevent the run and keep Union within reach.
 
Union seemingly took that momentum into their next at-bats in the top of the sixth. Singles from Gibbons and Wiggins and a fielding error loaded the bases for the Garnet Chargers with one out, and a groundout from Callahan would allow Gibbons to score and keep a pair of runners in scoring position. Kappel then put a ball in play that was mishandled by the third baseman, allowing Wiggins and Rose to score and make it 7-5. Wintringer followed with a double, scoring Kappel all the way from first, bringing Union back within a run.
 
That would be as far as the Garnet Chargers rally would get, as a flyout stranded Wintringer on second to end the sixth and Union went in order in the seventh.
 
Wiggins finished the day with a prime performance on both sides of the ball, leading the offense with a pair of hits as she went 2-for-2 with a run driven in and a run scored while pitching three scoreless innings in relief, allowing just one hit while striking out two.
 
Kappel also reached twice with a pair of walks and scored twice, while Wintringer reached base three times with her double, two walks, and two runs batted in.
 
Union has a scheduled off day on Sunday before they return to doubleheader action on Monday, set to face off with Wisconsin-Oshkosh at 12:30 before taking on Colby at 3.