KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA – The York College softball squad split their two games on day two of their 2023 Spring Trip to Florida. The Spartans outlasted Coast Guard Academy 9-8 before dropping a 2-1 decision to Mount Union on Tuesday.
 
Game One vs. Coast Guard
Records: York 3-0, Coast Guard 4-1
Runs: York 9, Coast Guard 8
Hits: York 10, Coast Guard 10
Errors: York 2, Coast Guard 1
WP: Natalie Rietema (2-0); LP: Dana Walker (1-1)
 
How It Happened
• Both teams got a run in their first at-bat as the game was tied at one through the first. The Bears exploded for three runs on four hits and an error in the top of the third. Katie Becker and Selena Serna each had RBI singles in the frame as the Bears took a 4-1 lead.
• The Spartans answered in impressive fashion in the bottom of the third inning. Alyssa Harhigh was hit by a one out pitch to start the frame. After she stole second, Daphney Adams walked to put runners at first and second. Emma Wade delivered the pair with a double. Wade came around to tie the game at four on an Amanda Criss RBI single. The Spartans tacked on two more runs later in the inning as Taylor Coon ripped a double to center, giving York a 6-4 lead.
• After a quiet fourth inning, Coast Guard posted another big inning with a four spot to take an 8-6 lead. Becker and Serna were again in the middle of the rally. Becker had an RBI single while Serna banged out an RBI double. Pinch hitter Grace Hare and third baseman Julia Breidenthal each added RBI hits in the inning for the Bears.
• The Spartans responded with a game-winning three-run rally in the bottom of the sixth. Coon started the rally with a one out double to right. Taylor Walls stroked a single to right to put Spartans at the corners. Emma Keller plated Coon with an RBI single. Harhigh was hit by another pitch to load the bases, brining Adams to the plate with the bases loaded. Adams singled to left, scoring two and giving York the 9-8 lead.
• Freshman Natalie Rietema allowed a two out double in the top of the second but got a strikeout to end the game and preserve the win.
 
Spartan Offensive Leaders
Emma Keller: 3-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, 2B
Taylor Coons: 2-for-2, 1 run, 2 RBI, 2B
Daphney Adams: 1-for-3, 1 run, 3 RBI, 1 BB
Emma Wade: 1-for-3, 1 run, 2 RBI, 2B
 
Spartan Pitching
Gretchen Barstad: 4.0 IP, 5 hits, 5 runs, 4 ER, 3 K, 3 BB
Natalie Rietema: 3.0 IP, 5 hits, 3 runs, 2 ER, 1 K, 1 BB
 
Game Two vs. Mount Union
Records: York 3-1, Mount Union 3-2
Runs: York 1, Mount Union 2
Hits: York 8, Mount Union 8
Errors: York 0, Mount Union
WP: Kendyll Cahill (2-1); LP: Amanda Criss (1-1)
 
How It Happened
• The game was close from the beginning. The Spartans got a pair of hits in the first but wouldn't be able to score, which was a theme for both sides early one. The Raiders got a lead-off walk in the second but Daphney Adams cut down the runner at second for a caught stealing, the 27^th of her career.
• York got a pair of runners on in the top of the third but Raider pitcher Kendyll Cahill got a strikeout to end the threat. York dodged a bullet in the bottom of the third as Kaitlyn Culver had a bunt single to lead off the inning. The Raiders sacrificed Culver to second but she got greedy and tried to go to third but was thrown out. That play was huge as Sydney Mercer notched a double to left that would have scored Culver easily. Criss got a strikeout to end the potential uprising.
• York finally broke through in the fifth inning. Emma Keller ripped a one-out double to right center and then stole third. Harhigh drew another walk and then stole second to put Spartans at second and third. Keller then scored on a passed ball for the first run of the game as Harhigh moved up to third. Cahill managed to keep Harhigh on third as she got a foul out and a line out to end the inning.
• The Raiders tied the game in the sixth on an Adi George RBI single. The Spartans got two runners on in the top of the seventh but weren't able to get the big hit as the game went to the bottom of the seventh. The Raiders got the game winning hit on a Culver triple to right with two outs as Lydia Brunner raced around the bases to score the game-winner from first.
 
Spartan Offensive Leaders
Amanda Criss: 2-for-3, 2B
Taylor Walls: 2-for-4
Alyssa Harhigh: 1-for-2, 2 BB, SB
Emma Keller: 1-for-4, 1 run, 2B
 
Spartan Pitching
Amanda Criss: 6.2 IP, 7 hits, 2 ER, 3 K, 2 BB, 1 HBP
 
Spartan Notes
The Spartans game against the Coast Guard Academy was the first in the history of the program … the Spartans have now lost two straight against Mount Union as the Purple Raiders hold a 3-2 edge in the all-time series … senior catcher Daphney Adams tied the school record for caught stealing by a catcher, tying former Spartan standout Caitlyn Fedorishen (2003-06) … the Spartans set a new season-high with 10 hits against Coast Guard while the nine runs and nine RBI were also season highs … York swiped four bases in the two games … York has played three one-run games as York is now 2-1 in those games … Adams and Alyssa Harhigh are tied for the team lead in on-base percentage at .533 while they both have scored three runs in four games … the Spartans have yet to hit a triple or a home run but they do have 10 doubles in their four games … the Spartan pitching staff owns a 2.02 ERA in their 27.2 innings of work as opponents are hitting .212 against them.
 
Up Next
The Spartans are off Wednesday and return to action with two games on Thursday. The Spartans face Saint Benedict at 2:00 pm in their first game of the day and then play Saint Joseph's (Maine) at 4:30 pm.