Warriors sweep Threshers in doubleheader

The Lady Warriors swept Bethel College in a doubleheader at North Newton, Kan. on Monday, March 17.

Game 1

Game one proved to be a close one, with Sterling coming away with a 3-1 victory over the Threshers.

The first inning proved to be slow rolling as neither team got around the bags until Sterling's Madilynn Green singled out to center field to allow Pheobi Waller to make it home on a misplayed ball by Bethel's Kailey Sandoval in the top of the fourth inning.

Green did it again in the top of the sixth inning with a double to center field bringing home Aiyana Campos and giving Sterling the 2-0 edge.

Bethel was able to answer back in the bottom of the sixth with a score from Cassie Albin.

Sterling got the last say with a sacrifice fly to right field from Campos to bring home Kelly Hirlas for the final run of the game.

MacKenzie Viehland was slinging from the circle for the Lady Warriors. She pitched the full seven-inning game, facing 28 batters, surrendering four hits which resulted in one run (zero earned) while only walking one batter and striking out two.

Game 2

The Lady Warriors were much more active at the plate and on the basepath in game two which led to a 12-1 run-rule victory in five innings.

Sterling came out hot with four runs in the top of the fourth. Mariah Cunningham scored the first run off of a grounded out by Hirlas. Desiree Perales scored on a double to center from Green, and a wild pitch from Kayla Richardson brought home Green and Waller, for the Warrior's 4-0 lead.

Cunningham scored again in the top of the second with a single to right field from Hirlas.

Bethel tried to get something going in the bottom of the third with a sacrifice fly to right field from Kailey Sandoval to bring in Kenzi Young for the run.

However, the Lady Warriors answered with big inning in the top of the fourth, with five runs. Hirlas started things off for Sterling with a double to left center bringing both Cunningham and Mallory Seidel to home plate. Waller laid down a bunt to bring home Hirlas, and Perales and Waller both came home after a single to right field from Mya' Dunn to extend Sterling's lead to 10-1.

Aubrie Martinez put the cherry on top with a double to left center to bring home Kassedy Midgley and Hirlas in the top of the fifth inning putting the game well out of reach for the Threshers, 12-1.

Allie Olivarria had a big day from the circle for Sterling. She pitched the full five innings, facing 18 batters, surrendering three hits which resulted in one run, walking none and striking out four.

Sterling's next match up will against Southwestern in Winfield, Kan. on Saturday, March 22.

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.