The Charger softball team traveled to Omaha, Nebraska for a doubleheader against College of Saint Mary Sunday. After taking game one 9-1, the Cliff dropped game two 6-3.
"I'm happy with how our offense made adjustments in game one against three different pitchers," said head coach Erin Bly. "Alexis had a great day for us on both sides of the plate going 3-for-4. Kayla Guerrero threw a great game and did a great job keeping CSM off balance."
Game 1 - W, 9-1
Guerrero earned her sixth win in the pitching circle, going seven innings while giving up one run off five hits and recording two strikeouts. After giving up one run in the first, Gurrero went on to throw six shut out innings and did not allow a runner past second base during that stretch.
The Flames struck first in the bottom of the first as Maddie Nekola singled to center field, driving in Rylee Scholl to take an early 1-0 lead.
In the top of the third, the Charger bats caught fire after Josie Chronic singled to left field with one out. Kylee Lukes singled in the next at-bat, advancing Chronic to third. Lukes swiped second base to put runners on second and third. Westercamp hit a two RBI double to give the Chargers a 2-1 lead, and Sydney Lierman followed up with an RBI single. Lierman capped off the scoring in the inning, crossing home plate after a fielding error by the Flames and BC led 4-1 after three.
In the top of the fourth, the Cliff got into scoring position after a sacrifice bunt by Josie Chronic put runners at second and third with one out. Lukes hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Callie Billings to push the lead to 5-1. Westercamp in the next at-bat blasted a two-run shot to give the Chargers a 7-1 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Westercamp hit an RBI double with two outs to give the Cliff a seven run edge.
The Chargers added in an insurance run in the top of the seventh, as Lierman scored on a fielding error by the Flames to push the lead 9-1.
Guerrero in the bottom of the seventh retired the side in order, forcing two fly outs and recording a strike out to preserve the victory.
Westercamp led the Charger offense going 3-for-4 at the plate with five RBIs and scored two runs. Kennedy Anderson was a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate, while Karina Cupples, and Lierman each recorded two hits for the Chargers.
Game 2 - L, 6-3
The Flames scored five runs in the bottom of the first, capped off by a grand slam from Macy Holmes to take an early 5-0 lead.
The Flames added a run in the bottom of the second as Mckenzie Chappell crossed home plate after a sacrifice ground out by Emma Hofmaier.
The Charger offense struggled through the first four innings, generating only three hits while left four runners on base.
The Cliff found momentum in the top of the fifth, as leadoff hitter Brooke Masi got on base after a fielding error. Masi reached second after a groundout by Billings to put the Chargers in scoring position with one out. Cupples the next at-bat tripled to right field, driving in Masi, followed by Cupples scoring on the play after a muffed throw by the Flames. Chronic hit an infield single, followed by Lukes' RBI double to cut the lead to 6-3.
In the top of the seventh, the Chargers looked to rally after Chronic singled with one out. Lukes singled in the next at-bat and the Chargers had runners on first and second with one out. Lukes and Chronic moved to second and third after Westercamp grounded out during her plate appearance. Lierman ended the game with a ground out, and the Chargers dropped game two 6-3.
Lukes went 3-for-4 at the plate with one RBI followed by Chronic who went 2-for-4 and scored one run.
"Unfortunately game two we came out flat and couldn't overcome the first inning deficit. It's a hard lesson to learn but one that will hopefully help us grow for the future," said Bly
The Chargers move to 17-12 overall (7-5 GPAC) and return to action Tuesday as they travel to Madison, South Dakota for a doubleheader against Dakota State. Game one is designated for 3:00PM with game two following shortly after.
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