KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Spring Arbor University softball team opened its 2021 season on Saturday with a pair of games against Top 25 opponents.
The Cougars rallied late against No. 25 Webber International University but ultimately fell 9-7 before dropping their second game 5-3 to No. 19 Warner University.
THE BASICS
SCORES: Spring Arbor 7, (25) Webber International 9
Spring Arbor 3, (19) Warner 5
LOCATION: Fortune Road Athletic Complex | Kissimmee, Fla.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 0-2, Webber International 9-4, Warner 9-3
GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS
- Spring Arbor trailed 6-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Sarah Matlock hit a solo home run to cut the deficit to three.
- Webber International responded with three runs in the top of the seventh, but the Cougars refused to go down without a fight. Cora Millay and Chloe Gignac started the rally with back-to-back singles before freshman Emmalee Hamp delivered a pinch-hit three-run homer – the first at-bat of her collegiate career – to get SAU within three. Two batters later, Hannah Laurin singled to bring in another run to make it a 9-7 game. The Cougars would bring the potential game-winning run to the plate, but the Warriors were able to escape the jam and hang on for the win.
- Spring Arbor finished its season-opening game with 14 hits, including three apiece by Jessie Panchaud and Matlock. Millay and Gignac had two hits each.
GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS
- Spring Arbor jumped out in front early against No. 19 Warner plating two runs in the top of the first inning.
- The Cougars added another run in the fifth when Hamp doubled to right allowing Abbie Funk to score.
- Hamp was fantastic in the circle as well. The freshman pitcher held one of the top teams in the county scoreless through four frames while striking out six batters. However, the Royals were able to breakthrough in the fifth inning scoring five times – capped by a three-run homer – to take a 5-3 lead, which would be the final score.
- Panchaud had two more hits. Funk scored twice and Hamp drove in a pair of runs.
- Hamp finished with 5.0 innings pitched giving up five runs on nine hits and fanning seven. Laurin added a scoreless inning of relief.
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor returns to action on Monday, Mar. 1. The Cougars will play Point Park University at 12 p.m. and Ave Maria University at 2:30 p.m.