HIRAM, Ohio. – The Washington & Jefferson College softball team (12-18, 5-11) picked up their second series split in a row against the Hiram Terriers (10-15, 9-6). Hiram took the tight defensive battle in game one 1-0 before the Presidents responded with a 9-5 win in game two.
W&J 0, Hiram 1
Defense was the theme of game one between the Presidents and the Terriers. Freshman
Braelyn Altman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Taylor Allderdice) threw a complete game and only gave up one hit. Altman recorded two strikeouts and only walked one batter. The W&J defense held Hiram scoreless for the opening five innings. In four of the five innings, the defense retired the Terrier lineup in order.
The lone Terrier hit came in the second, and Hiram found their way through the Presidents' defense in the sixth inning on a string of fielders' choice plays leading up to a sacrifice fly.
W&J 9, Hiram 5
Opposite of game one, offense was the theme in game two. Senior
Hannah Allen (Harrison City, Pa./Penn Trafford) led the Presidents at the plate, hitting 3-for-4 and recording a career high five RBIs in the contest. Sophomore
Anna Luxenberger (Montoursville, Pa./Loyalsock Township) also batted 3-for-4. A. Luxenberger scored a run and drove in one. Senior
Julia DiPietro-Harvey (Pittsburgh, Pa./Taylor Allderdice) drove in two runs as well.
The Presidents got the bats rolling early, as they took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. A single from DiPietro-Harvey and a sacrifice bunt from sophomore
Savannah Bodnar (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) set up smart baserunning by classmate
Sydney VanNess (Warren, Ohio/Howland) to reach base on an error and get W&J on the board. A home run to left field by Allen cleared the bases and extended the early Presidents' lead.
The Terriers responded with four runs in the bottom of the first, but W&J continued to find their offense. The Presidents responded with three runs of their own in the top of the second to gain the lead back. Singles from Bodnar, VanNess, and senior
Deanna Gratton (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) allowed Allen to hit a triple, which cleared the bases and forced a Terrier pitching change.
Junior
Mirranda Rinehart (Washington, Pa./Trinity) recorded her ninth hit by pitch this season to begin a rally and extend the W&J lead to 7-4. A. Luxenberger singled to bring the run home. W&J closed out the scoring with two runs in the seventh inning to take the overall win 9-5 and split the series. DiPietro-Harvey tripled to score Gratton and freshman Jacie Hilligsburg.
Sophomore
Macayle Thornhill (Warren, Ohio/Jackson-Milton) picked up her second win of the season in the contest. Thornhill pitched 6.1 innings, forcing 10 flyouts and seven groundouts.
The Presidents will continue their PAC road trip when the team travels to take on the Thiel Tomcats. First pitch of the twinbill from Greenville is slated for 9:30 a.m. on Saturday (April 18).
