SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Freshman Chloe Gignac capped a 5-for-5 performance at the plate with a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Spring Arbor University softball team to a 6-5 victory over Grace College in game one of Tuesday's doubleheader.
Grace avoided the sweep, however, hanging on to defeat SAU in game two, 7-6, behind a six-run third inning.
THE BASICS
SCORES: Spring Arbor 6, Grace 5
Spring Arbor 6, Grace 7
LOCATION: Cougar Softball Field | Spring Arbor, Mich.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 11-9 (4-4 CL), Grace 6-15 (2-7 CL)
GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS
- Spring Arbor trailed 4-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning before Abbey Burdgick delivered a clutch, two-out double to bring in the game-tying run.
- That was how the score stayed until extra innings. Grace jumped in front with a run in the top of the eighth when pinch-hitter Hannah Harless dropped a base hit into right field allowing the go-ahead run to score. But, the Cougars battled back, loading the bases with only one out. Burdgick came through in the clutch again, this time with a single to drive in Kyla Semones. Then, Gignac followed with a base hit bringing home the Maddison Brock to win it.
- Gignac was 5-for-5 with two RBI's, a run scored and a stolen base. Burdgick finished with three hits and three RBI's while Jade Nowe collected two hits.
- Lauren Wirgau pitched all eight innings giving up five runs, but only three earned, while striking out four batters.
GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS
- A six-run third inning put Grace ahead 7-2.
- Freshman pitcher Kelsey Sturgeon came on in relief during the third inning and completely shut down the Lancer offense – tossing four scoreless innings to give Spring Arbor a chance to get back in the game.
- The Cougars would do just that, scoring four times in the fifth inning to close the gap to one, 7-6. Sarah Matlock provided the big hit in the frame, singling to left field with the bases loaded. Nowe followed with another hit allowing Matlock to cross the plate.
- Spring Arbor put the tying run on second base with only one out in the sixth inning, but was unable to capitalize.
- The Cougars were limited to five hits. Matlock had one hit and two RBI's while Gignac singled and scored twice.
- Melody Donovan suffered the loss in the circle. Sturgeon was terrific coming out of the bullpen, pitching 4.1 scoreless innings of relief allowing just four hits with a strikeout.
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor visits Taylor University (13-4, 5-0 CL) on Wednesday, Mar. 27. The first game of the doubleheader with the Trojans begins at 4 p.m.
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