Another Split for Warrior Softball

Sterling, Kan. – The Lady Warriors had a chance to improve in the KCAC standings this week against the Bethel College Threshers and just missed the sweep giving up some late-inning runs in game 1, before coming back in full force and winning game 2. Sterling fell in game one 7-5, and won game two 12-9, a score that does not reflect the dominance of the Warriors in game two.

Game 1 – Sterling 5, Bethel 7

The Lady Warriors all but put game one in the books before Bethel scored four runs in the top of the seventh turning a two run Sterling lead into a two run Sterling deficit. Bethel scored runs in the first and second to take the early lead, but the Warriors were able to battle back by the fourth inning and took a two run lead in the bottom of the sixth. Bethel came back and recorded five hits in the top of the seventh to score the four runs, but a pair of errors by the Warriors did not help their cause. Alyssa Mason was hit out of the game with two outs in the seventh before Allie Olivarria came in to record the final out. Sterling lost 7-5 in a close game with the Threshers.

Alyssa Mason got the loss after pitching very well most of the game. Just three of the seven runs given up were earned. She gave up 12 hits and struck out 5 in six and two-thirds innings. Madilynn Green and Kelly Hirlas each had two hits in the game, Green's went for a pair of doubles. Mason and Green knocked in two runs apiece for Sterling and Hirlas added one more.

Game 2 – Sterling 12, Bethel 9

Sterling's offense was flowing in game number two as they had seven players with multiple hits in the game and 17 hits as a team. Sterling took a 2-0 lead in the first but found themselves down 5-2 by the time they came to bat in the bottom of the fourth. The Lady Warrior's answer was 7 runs in the bottom of the fourth and 3 more in the fifth giving them a 12-5 lead. Sterling recorded 8 hits in the seven run fourth alone and four more hits in the fifth. With time winding down, Bethel took advantage of a couple of errors and found a way to score four runs, making the game a little more interesting. Sterling shut down the rally and came away with the game two victory and a split in the season series.

Allie Olivarria went the distance earning the win. She gave up nine total runs, but only four were earned. The win gives Olivarria ten wins on the season and puts her atop the KCAC in wins. Cheyenne Cunningham and Desiree Perales each had three hits for Sterling to lead the team. Extra base hits have been a staple to this Warrior offense, Aiyana Campos had the lone triple for Sterling, and Cunningham, Perales and Green each had doubles in the game. A trio of Warriors, Cunningham, Campos, and Green had 2 RBIs apiece, while Alexxis Thompson, Perales, and Hirlas each knocked in a run each.

Sterling is now 14-12 this season and 2-4 in conference play. They will look to improve that record on Friday when they face the Southwestern College Moundbuilders in another KCAC matchup.

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.