Warriors Take Two Against Tigers in Doubleheader

McPherson, Kan.- The Sterling College softball team traveled to McPherson, Kan. to play a doubleheader against Central Christian College. They won both games, bumping their record 3-5 overall.

Game 1- Sterling -9 Central Christian -0

The Warriors held a steady game against the Tigers, scoring in five of the seven innings played. The top of the first inning proved promising for the Warriors, as Sam Araiza claimed the first run of the game on Maria Casillas double. Casillas then worked her way around the bases before stealing home on a double steal. The second inning was much the same, as Aiyana Campos singled to right field. Makenna Linden walked, and Araiza doubled to left center, allowing Linden and Campos to come around and score. After two innings it was 4-0 Warriors.

The third and fourth inning passed quickly for both teams with little opportunity for the Warriors to connect with the ball. They found their rhythm again in the fifth inning. Bailey Garber and Julia Beyale singled, followed by Campos singling to right field allowing Garber to score. And in a close call for the Warriors, Campos stole home in another double steal situation. The Warriors made quick work of the Tigers at the bottom of the inning.

The sixth inning had a single run by Linden, after being walked and stealing second base. She was knocked in on a single by Alyssa Mason. The Warriors then had two more runs in the seventh inning, from Beyale and Campos, after a series of errors made by the Tigers. The Warriors finished the game having played great defense, the game concluding at 9-0, Warriors.

Allie Olivarria and MacKenzie Viehland shared the mound in this game. Olivarria pitched six innings and had five strikeouts, and gave up two hits. Viehland played one inning, and had two strikeouts and one hit. Campos scored three runs for the Warriors.

Game 2- Sterling -7 Central Christian -2

The first inning passed with little action, neither team finding a way to score any runs. The second inning held more promise for the Warriors, starting with Garber's single to right center. Garber advanced to second after a wild pitch, then to third after Beyale reached on a throwing error by the shortstop. Campos then singled to right field, advancing to third on another Tiger throwing error. Two runs were scored by Garber and Beyale during Campos' race around the infield. Campos made it home after a sacrifice fly from Madilynn Green, making it three runs in the inning for the Warriors. Central Christian plated their first run against the Warriors in the third inning.

The Warriors responded with a run of their own in the fourth inning by Campos, but was quickly followed by another run from the Tigers. It wasn't until the sixth inning that the Warriors made three more runs. Phoebi Waller, pinch running for Brennah Jimenez, crossed home plate after a sacrifice fly from Campos. Beyale added another run to the board after a walk, steal and single from Green's time at bat. Green made her way around the bases off of back to back singles finding home herself, completing the Warrior scoring at the top of the inning. The Warriors were close to adding a couple more in the seventh inning, with Casillas and Jimenez ready at third and second, but the Tigers cut their opportunity short.

Casillas and Adrianna Castillo shared the pitcher's mound this game. In Casillas' three innings, she gave up three hits. Castillo pitched four innings, where she had three strikeouts, and gave up six hits and two runs.

Warriors softball's doubleheader against Langston University was canceled due to the freezing temperatures. They are to return to the field on Feb. 25 against Hastings College, here in Sterling, Kan. starting at 1pm.

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.