Lady Warriors Drop Two at Tabor

Hillsboro, Kan. – Lady Warrior softball dropped two games to Tabor College eliminating them from contention to make the KCAC softball postseason tournament. The Warriors started hot in game one, but gave up the lead on their way to a 10-6 loss. In game two, Sterling took the lead in a seventh inning rally before eventually giving it back up in the bottom half of the inning, losing 8-7.

Game 1 – Sterling 6, Tabor 10

The offense was flowing in the early innings of game number one. Sterling scored three runs in the first and gave up two runs to Tabor in the same frame. The Bluejays tied the game at three in the second before Sterling gained a two run lead in the third. The fourth inning cost Sterling as they gave up seven runs in the inning, putting them in a deficit they could not recover from. Sterling added a run in the seventh, but it was not enough as they lost 10-6.

Desiree Perales had three of Sterling's eight hits, two of which were doubles. She also scored twice and knocked in a run. She currently has the fourth best batting average in the KCAC this season and leads the league in RBIs. Phoebi Waller and Alexis Hillhouse each added two hits. Alyssa Mason started the game for Sterling and ended up with the loss after pitching three and two thirds innings. MacKenzie Viehland pitched the final two and a third innings.

Game 2 – Sterling 7, Tabor 8

The second game of the double header had big scoring innings by both teams and ended in dramatic fashion. Sterling scored two runs right out of the gate before Tabor scored five runs in the fourth inning. Tabor tacked on another run in the fifth to take a 6-2 lead, which they held until the seventh inning. In a last chance effort, Sterling put the pressure back on Tabor after they scored five runs in the top of the seventh. Cheyenne Cunningham got the scoring started with an RBI double, followed by a two RBI single by Perales and was capped off by back-to-back singles by Madilynn Green and Kelly Hirlas that scored runs as well. Sterling scored five runs while recording just one out, but the final two came in order. Sterling held a 7-6 lead heading into the final half-inning, before Tabor answered with a single and homerun squashed their comeback hopes. Sterling lost the game 8-7 on a walkoff homerun by the Bluejays.

Cunningham led the way with three hits. Hillhouse, Green, Hirlas, and Aiyana Campos each added two hits apiece. Perales knocked in three runs. Allie Olivarria pitched the complete game for Sterling and just missed out on fifteenth win of the season. She gave up all eight runs and took the loss.

Sterling is no longer statistically eligible for the KCAC postseason tournament where just the top six teams in the league get to play. Sterling's season record drops to 19-23, and their KCAC record sits at 7-15. They have two more series to play this season. This Saturday they take on Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Sterling and will have a Senior Day celebration at the conclusion of the second game. Game times are scheduled for 1 and 3 pm. Their final games of the season take place in Sterling on Tuesday, April 23, at 3 and 5 pm.

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.