Sterling sweeps Avila in doubleheader

Sterling College softball got two big wins in a doubleheader sweep of Avila University on Saturday, March 29.

Game 1

The Lady Warriors came out with a 5-4 win in game one against the Lady Eagles.

Sterling got out to a quick start, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Madilynn Green got things started with a double down the left field line which resulted in three runs from Desiree Perales, Kelly Hirlas and Bryley Westfahl.

Malory Seidel returned the favor with a triple of her own to left field to bring home Green.

Avila answered back in the top of the fourth with a single up the middle from Myra Megli to bring in two scores for the Lady Eagles. Abi Beaman then doubled to center field to add a score, making the score 4-3 in the Lady Warrior's favor after the top of the fourth inning.

Samantha Graham gave Sterling some breathing room in the bottom of the fourth inning with a single to left center to bring home Aiyana Campos to give the Lady Warriors a 5-3 edge.

The Lady Eagles tried to get things going in the top of the sixth inning, capitalizing on a wild pitch from McKenzie Viehland to get a score. However, Sterling tightened up their defense and held Avila scoreless in the top of the seventh and come away with the 5-4 win.

Viehland pitched all seven innings for the Lady Warriors, facing 30 batters, surrendering six hits which resulted in four runs while only walking one batter.

Green led the Lady Warriors with three RBIs while Westfahl recorded Sterling's only stolen base of the game.

Game 2

Sterling didn't miss a beat in the second game of the doubleheader, coming away with an 8-1 win.

Mariah Cunningham set the tone with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to put the Lady Warrior's up 2-0. Perales followed this up with a single to right field to bring home Hirlas in the bottom of the third inning.

Avila's tried to get traction in the top of the fourth with a double from Beaman to right center to get the Lady Eagle's sole score of the game.

The Lady Warriors made a push in the bottom of the fifth with five runs, the first run came from Hirlas who took a hit from the pitcher with the bases loaded to get the RBI. Perales then doubled to right field to bring home Cunningham and Westfahl in for the score. Green cleaned things up with a double to left center to bring Hirlas and Perales in for the run and put the game out of reach, 8-1.

Allie Olivarria led Sterling from the center circle pitching the full seven innings. The hurler faced 25 batters, surrendering four hits, which resulted in one run and walking only one batter.

Cunningham, Green and Perales each had two RBIs for the Lady Warriors while Cunningham, Hirlas and Westfahl each had two runs.

The Lady Warriors will be back in action on Wednesday, April 2 at home against Bethany College.

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.