Sterling comes out 2-0 in first day of NCCAA World Series

Sterling College softball came out of day one of the NCCAA World Series with two wins and a spot in the semi-final game against Jessup University. The Lady Warriors started with a win against Southwestern Christian University on Monday, May 19 followed by another win against Mid-America Christian University.

Game 1

Sterling started with a 6-4 win in the opening round of the NCCAA World Series against Southwestern Christian University.

The Eagles struck first with a run in the top of the first off of a double down the right field line from Lexi Cahwee to bring home Trinity Norwood.

The Lady Warriors answered right back with two scores in the bottom of the first with both Desiree Perales and Aiyana Campos stealing home.

Sterling added to their lead with Kassedy Midgely scoring on a throwing error by the catcher who was trying to throw out Bryley Westfahl as she stole second putting the Lady Warriors up 3-2.

Southwestern Christian did not go away quietly, with two more runs in the top of the third to knot things up at three runs each. The Eagles then took the lead in the top of the sixth with a single up the middle from Norwood to bring home Kayla Horton.

The Lady Warriors answered back quickly in the bottom of the sixth with three runs. Perales started it off with a one-run home run. Mary Casillas then singled to left center with the bases loaded to bring home Kelly Hirlas to take back the lead.

Sterling put things out of reach with a walk from Westfahl to send Mallory Siedel home and put the Lady Warriors up 6-4.

MacKenzie Viehland started things off from the center circle. The hurler pitched five and two-third innings, facing 29 batters, surrendering six hits which resulted in four runs, walking four batters while striking out four.

Allie Olivarria came in for relief and got the win, pitching one and one-third innings. She faced five batters, surrendered one hit which resulted in zero runs, walking zero batters while striking out one.

Wesfahl, Perales and Casillas each recorded an RBI with Perales leading the Lady Warriors with two hits. Westfahl, Perales and Campos each recorded a stolen base as well.

Game 2

The Lady Warriors then took on Mid-America Christian University in the second round of the NCCAA World Series. In a game that come down to the wire, Sterling came out with a 3-2 win.

The Evangels came out swinging with a single up the middle from Hallie Wilson in the top of the first inning to bring home Kisbel Vizcaya and later that inning stole third and turned for home off a throwing error by the catcher, Madilynn Green.

Sterling was unable to get anything going in the following innings and things were not looking good for the Lady Warriors headed into the bottom of the seventh innings down 2-0.

Seidel got things started for Sterling, getting hit by the pitcher to get on the basepath. Midgely then singled down the left field line. Casillas came in to pinch hit for Phoebi Waller and was walked to fill the bases.

Waller came back in to run for Casillas and Mya' Dunn was entered to pinch run for Midgley at second base.

Westfahl brough in the first score of the game for Sterling with a single to left center to bring home Seidel.

Cunningham finished things off for the Lady Warriors, hitting the ball to the third baseman who overthrew the catcher allowing Dunn to run in for the score. Waller then turned third base and took off for home sliding in for the walk-off run to give Sterling the 3-2 win.

Olivarria started things off from the center circle for Sterling. The hurler pitched five and one-third innings, facing 22 batters, surrendering seven hits which resulted in two runs and walked one batter.

Viehland came in relief to get the win, finishing the following one and two-third innings. She faced six batters, gave up zero hits, walked zero batters and struck out two.

Westfahl recorded Sterling only RBI in the game while Perales led the Lady Warriors with three hits.

Sterling will be back in action Tuesday, May 20 (today) at 6 p.m. as they take on Jessup University in the semi-final game of the NCCAA World Series.

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