YORK, Pa. – The Spartan softball team hosted Alvernia University for a twinbill, Saturday afternoon. The Spartans split with the Golden Wolves, dropping game one, 7-4 and winning game two in extra innings, 3-2. The Green and White are now 17-8 overall this season, and 6-6 in conference play.
Game One
Runs: York 4 – Alvernia 7
Hits: York 10 - Alvernia 7
Errors: York 1 – Alvernia 0
LOB: York 5 – Alvernia 15
WP: Natalie Berwick (7-7); LP: Natalie Rietema (8-4); S: Kelsey Racine (3)
How It Happened
Alvernia scratched crossed its first two runs of the game in the top of the first inning.
York tied it up in the bottom of the second inning. Allison Hunsberger brought home the first run of the game on a squeeze play. Kate Miller scored the second run for the Spartans on a Danella Silagy groundout.
Alvernia took back the lead in the top of the third, scoring on a walk and a fielder's choice.
Noelle Smith hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut the Spartan deficit to 4-3.
The Golden Wolves tacked on three insurance runs in the fifth, make it a 7-3 game.
Alexis McDonaugh doubled in the bottom half of the fifth inning, scoring Gretchen Barstad.
Natalie Rietema started in the circle for the Green and White. She went 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and six earned runs. She struck out two.
Courtney Freese came in for relief, recording a clean sheet and striking out two batters.
Spartan Pitching
Natalie Rietema: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 9 BB, 2 K
Courtney Freese: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 K
Game Two (8 Innings)
Runs: York 3 – Alvernia 2
Hits: York 4 - Alvernia 10
Errors: York 2 – Alvernia 1
LOB: York 5 – Alvernia 11
WP: Courtney Freese (5-3); LP: Kelsey Racine(5-9)
How it Happened
Alvernia plated its first run of the game in the top of the second inning on a RBI double.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Golden Wolves added another run on an RBI down the left field line.
The Spartans tied it up in the bottom half of the fourth inning. Gretchen Barstad scored on a passed ball. Noelle Smith tied the game with a sacrifice fly, scoring McDonaugh.
Both teams were held scoreless through the seventh inning, forcing extra innings.
In the top of the eighth inning, Alvernia went three up, three down.
The Spartans walked it off in the bottom of the eighth. Gretchen Barstad reached first and then stole second, putting a runner in scoring position for McDonaugh. Alexis McDonaugh ripped a single up the middle, scoring Barstad to claim the 3-2 victory.
Courtney Freese pitched the complete game for the Green and White. In eight innings, she allowed two runs on nine hits and four walks. She struck out five Golden Wolves.
Spartan Pitching
Courtney Freese: 8.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
Spartan Notes
York is now 6-7 all-time against Alvernia… The Green and White are now 3-3 at home against the Golden Wolves… The Spartans are 6-4 in the last 10 matchups against Alvernia. The win against Alvernia snapped a three-game losing streak.
Up Next
The Green and White will host the DeSales on Sunday for two.
