Bounce-Back Win is One for the Ages

Sterling, Kan. – A tough day turned into a split with a lot of momentum and excitement as the Lady Warriors scored 7 runs in the bottom of the seventh inning of game two of Tuesday's doubleheader en route to an extra-innings win over Kansas Wesleyan University. Sterling struggled to score most of the day leading to an opening game 4-0 loss and a seemingly insurmountable 8-1 deficit in game two. Sterling had enough in the tank to take a win away from KWU in a walk off in the bottom of the ninth, winning 11-10.

Game 1 – Sterling 0, KWU 4

Sterling mustered just four hits in the game, two coming from Aiyana Campos, and they were never able to put any pressure on the KWU defense. Even though the hits didn't seem to come, Sterling was never out of the game. Alyssa Mason kept the Warriors in it from the pitcher's circle with the score just 1-0 through 5 innings. KWU got one more run in the sixth and scraped in two more in the seventh. Sterling played superb on defense and did not yield much to KWU's best efforts.

Mason took the loss in a great battle. She gave up just the four runs and sprayed around 8 hits in her seven innings pitched. Unfortunately, without run support, she took the loss.

Game 2 – Sterling 11, KWU 10 (9 innings)

Game two was a much different game in terms of hits and scoring, but Sterling still struggled most of the game. KWU came out and punched Sterling in the mouth scoring 3 runs in the first. The Warriors had a great opportunity to respond with multiple runners in scoring position with less than two outs, but only scraped one run across in the bottom of the first.

That is where the score stayed until KWU started knocking in a run or two each inning late. Heading to the bottom of the seventh it was 8-1 KWU and the Coyotes made a pitching change, one I'm sure their coaching staff regrets. Into the game with the new pitcher came the Warrior's bats.

The first four batters reached and a run scored before an out was recorded. A ground out scored another run making it 8-3 with two outs, giving Sterling a little hope but a lot of energy as the power hitters in Sterling's lineup came to the plate. Desiree Perales launched a three-run homerun to left center field making the gap just two runs with two outs in the seventh. A Campos walk brought Mason to the plate representing the tying run. Mason tattooed a homerun over the center field fence to tie the game at 8, the second game-tying homerun she has had this season. At this point, KWU relieved their pitcher and brought in someone else to record the final out of the inning but the damage was done.

Each team scored the initial runner from second in their half of the inning and KWU did the same again in the top of the ninth. With the runner on second to start the inning, Perales reached first on an error and aggressive baserunning had Alexis Hillhouse scoring from second on the play. Campos put down a sacrifice bunt to move Perales to second with one out. Mason delivered once again with a single to left scoring Perales who was moving on contact. A slight bobble from the left fielder and there was no play at the plate and Sterling came all the way back from 7 down to get their first conference win of the season.

Kelly Hirlas carried the hot stick going 3 for 4 at the plate. Perales is credited with just one hit but had 4 RBIs in the game, three from the bottom of the seventh homerun. Mason had two hits in the ballgame, and quite possible the most impactful two hits of the season, the 2 run game-tying blast in the seventh and the game winning walk-off in the ninth.

Allie Olivarria pitched the complete game and earned the win. 10 runs were scored, but just five of them were earned. She gave up 11 hits over the 9 innings of work.

Sterling is 13-9 this season and the KCAC split puts there record in conference play at 1-1. The Lady Warriors are back in action on Saturday, March 16^th, for a doubleheader against the University of Saint Mary Spires. The first game will start at 1 pm with game two to follow.

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 the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.