CLERMONT, Fla. - After dropping game one of Sunday's doubleheader at Hancock Park against Hamline University, Union responded with a dominant 7-0 victory over Knox University.
Game One: Hamline 15, Union 5
Hamline quickly got on the boarding plating four runs in the first inning. Savannah Johnson drove in two with a single scoring Elena Martinez and Maddie Johnson. Then Jenna Rubbelke extended the lead scoring on a wild pitch. Abigail Chamernick capped off the inning with an RBI single helping drive home Johnson home to extend the lead to 4-0.
However, Union wasted no time responding in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Sam Rose started the rally with a single, followed by junior Elizabeth Werner's single to put Rose on second. Junior Ellie Wintringer then came through with an RBI single, driving in Rose to put Union on the score board.
First year Kyla Springer's ground out to third helped advance Wintringer to second and Werner to third. First year Amy FitzPatrick followed up with a clutch two-run triple to bring in Wintringer and Werner to cut the deficit to 4-3.
The Pipers added two more runs in the second inning, capitalizing on a sacrifice fly from Madisen Borek scoring in Rubbelke. An RBI single from Chamernick helped Johnson reach based on a fielder's choice, pushing the lead to 6-3.
Hamline added another run in the third inning as Johnson reached third on a fielder choice to drive in Jenna Mahnke.
The Garnet Chargers chipped away in the fourth inning adding two runs, capitalizing on Hamline's defensive miscues. Singles by senior Tatum Perkins and senior Melody Kappel loaded the bases, and then Fitzpatrick came home on a fielding error by Hamline's shortstop. Shortly after, Werner drew a bases loaded walk, allowing Perkins to score to cut the deficit to 7-5.
However, Hamline's offense erupted in the fifth and sixth innings. A bases load walk and RBI single from Borek helped push the lead to 10-5 in the fifth. The Pipers added five runs in the sixth highlighted by Abbey Hebert's three run double and another sacrifice fly from Borek. An RBI single by Reese Herrig capped off the scoring to secure the 15-5 victory for Hamline.
Senior Melody Kappel took the loss for Union, surrendering seven runs (five earned) over four innings. Junior Riley Jahnle entered in relief, pitching the final two innings and allowed eight runs (seven earned).
Game Two: Union 7, Knox 0
First year Carra Cleaves pitched her first shutout of her career striking out seven batters and only allowed three hits and one walk.
Senior Tatum Perkins scored a multi-hit game, driving in two runs and scored twice herself. Junior Elizabeth Werner drove in a homer while first year Amy FitzPatrick and senior Riley Callahan each went one for one with a run scored. Junior Riley Jahnle contributed a pinch hit single and scored later a run while first years Sammy Fenigstein and Kyla Springer picked up an RBI.
After a scoreless first inning, Union opened the scoring in the top of the second. Perkins began the inning reaching base after the center fielder dropped a routine fly ball and advanced to second on the play. Perkins then stole third, putting herself in a scoring position. Junior Haley Gibbons followed with a walk and then stole second. On the steal attempt, a catcher's throw was mishandled, allowing Gibbons to advance to third while Perkins came home to score on the error to give Union an early lead.
After a quiet third inning, Union added two more runs in the fourth inning when Werner hit a solo home run in to left center. Perkins then initiated the second run, hitting a single through the left side to reach base. Gibbons followed up with a single up the middle, advancing Perkins to third. With runners on the corners, Fenigstein capitalized delivering an RBI single to left center to drive Perkins in.
FitzPatrick hit a leadoff double to left center in the fifth inning. Werner then grounded out to third but aided in allowing Fitzpatrick to advance to third base. With Fitzpatrick in scoring position, Springer capitalized on the opportunity delivering an RBI single to shortstop to bring Fitzpatrick home, extending the lead to 4-0.
Coming off a scoreless sixth inning, Union sealed the shutout victory in the final inning by adding three more runs. Callahan, a pinch hitter for FitzPatrick, led off with a single up the middle. Jahnle then entered as a pinch hitter for Werner and followed up with a single down the left field line, advancing Callahan to second. Sophomore Maddy Ewald earned a walk to load bases. A passed ball allowed Ewald to move to second and Jahnle to third while Callahan came home and scored the sixth run of the inning.
Perkins then delivered a single to left center, bringing Ewald and Jahnle in to solidify the 7-0 victory.
Union returns to action tomorrow, Monday, for a double header against Oberlin and Williamette. The games are set to start at 10:15 AM and 12:30 PM, respectively.
