Sterling sweeps Graceland in four-game series

Sterling College softball swept Graceland University in back-to-back double headers on Tuesday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 5.

Game 1

The Lady Warriors were in for a battle in their 5-4 extra innings win over the Yellowjackets. Mallory Seidel came up big for the Lady Warriors with an in-the-park homerun to bring in the final two runs for the win in the eighth inning.

Graceland was the first to score off of an RBI from Aliyah Farrell in the top of the first inning. Sterling answered back in the second inning when Pheobe Waller scored on a wild pitch and Samantha Graham tripled to bring home Mariah Casillas.

The Yellowjackets tied the score at 2-2 in the top of the six to take the game into extra innings. Things looked shaky for the Warriors when Graceland scored two quick runs in the top of the eighth.

However, Sterling kept their cool and Kelly Hirlas doubled to bring Desiree Perales home. Seidel put the nails in the coffin, speeding around the bases for a two-run, in-the-park homerun to finish out the game with the Lady Warriors on top 5-4.

MacKenzie Viehland led the Lady Warriors from the mound, facing 33 batters through seven and two-third innings while pitching 59 strikes on 94 throws. Viehland surrendered three hits which resulted in four runs, walking two batters while striking out five.

Game 2

The second game was an entirely different story as Sterling ran away with a 14-0 win.

Allie Olivarria led the Lady Warriors with a shutout from the mound, facing 19 batters, with 39 strikes on 58 pitches. She surrendered three hits through the five innings, walking none and striking out six.

Sterling came out hot from the start with 10 runs in the opening inning to put the game well out of reach for the Yellowjackets.

The Lady Warriors added to their lead with a run in the second inning and three more in the third.

Mya' Dunn led the Warriors offensively with four RBIs while Casillas, Waller and Graham each had two.

Game 3

Sterling continued to roll in the third game of the series, getting the 3-1 win over the Yellowjackets.

Graceland scored first on a passed ball that allowed for a run from Kaitlyn Cook, but after that it was all Sterling.

Mariah Cunningham made it home on an error from the first baseman while Casillas hit a sacrifice fly out to center field which brought home Perales to give the Lady Warriors a 2-1 lead.

Perales was able to extend Sterling's lead with another sacrifice fly out to center field which Mariah Cunningham turned into a score for the Warriors.

MacKenzie Viehland held down the fort for Sterling from the mound, pitching all seven innings and only giving up one run. She faced 26 batters, throwing 49 strikes on 71 pitches while walking one batter and striking out seven.

Perales and Casillas led Sterling in RBIs with one each while Cunningham ran wild on the base path with four of the Lady Warrior's six stolen bases.

Game 4

The Lady Warriors had another high scoring game in the final game of the series with a 10-2 victory.

Graceland drew first blood in the top of the first inning with a single up the middle from Kady Vandemark and a double from Charlee Peters to left center giving the Yellowjackets a 2-0 lead.

Sterling answered back quickly with five scored in the first innings. Perales got the ball rolling for the Warriors with a single up the middle to bring home Cunningham. Casillas followed suit with a double down the left firled line for a two run RBI. Waller returned the favor, batting home Casillas with a double to left center, and Seidel closed out the inning with a sacrifice fly to center field to bring Waller in for the score.

Waller went on to bring home Hirlas and Perales with a double to left center in the second inning  to extend Sterling's lead to 7-2. Hirlas singled up the middle to bring Cunningham in for the score and Cunningham followed suit in the fifth inning with a single up the middle to score the final two runs for the game as the Lady Warriors run ruled the Yellowjackets in five innings.

Ollivaria pitched all five innings, surrendering four hits which resulted in two runs, walking none and striking out three batters. She faced 20 batters on the day, throwing 42 strikes on 58 pitches.

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #swordsup. Watch all of the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.