KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Marietta College softball team earned a sweep of Plymouth State University and Carnegie Mellon University on Tuesday (March 12) at the spring games in Florida. The Pioneers defeated the Panthers 4-3 in game one, and won game two 6-0 over the Tartans. With the sweep Marietta improves to 5-1 on the season.
Head Coach
Jenn Castle said, "Our pitchers threw really well today and were making good adjustments. We came out ready to play today and we need to continue to bring that energy into Thursday's games."
In game one, the Pioneers jumped out to an early lead with a run in the first inning.
Maicy Kirk (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) got the inning started with a single to left, and then stole second base. Kirk was driven in when
Ashton Helmke (Defiance, Ohio/Tinora) singled to centerfield.
After a scoreless second inning, Marietta tacked on a pair of runs in the third to take a 3-0 lead.
Alyssa Cook (Akron, Ohio/Ellet) led off the inning when she reached on an error, and Kirk singled to put runners at first and second. The next batter up
Jordan Pallay (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Bradley) doubled off the left field fence and plated both
Taylor Watts (Galloway, Ohio/West Jefferson), who pinch ran for Cook, and Kirk.
The Pioneers offense continued to produce in the fourth as they manufactured a run.
Reagan Tom (Chandlersville, Ohio/Philo) lead off the inning with a single, and a single from
Britnee Kail (Dover, Ohio/Dover) placed runners at first and second. Cook, then hit an RBI single to centerfield and put Marietta up 4-0.
After a scoreless fifth inning, the Panthers battled back with three runs in the top of the sixth inning to cut the Pioneers lead to 4-3.
Ashton Helmke (Defiance, Ohio/Tinora) closed the door in the top of the seventh and the Pioneers won, 4-3.
Airyanna Maurer (Marysville, Ohio/Marysville) started game in the circle for Marietta as she pitched five innings. She cruised through the first five innings as she only allowed three hits. In total she allowed three runs on six hits and struck out three.
After a scoreless first inning to open the second game, the Pioneers grabbed an early lead when
Lauren Rockocy (North Royalton, Ohio/North Royalton) hit a sacrifice fly to drive in
Kayla Alderson (Houston, Pa./Chartiers-Houston) who walked to lead off the inning.
Marietta added to its lead in the top of third when Kirk reached on a fielder's choice and Pallay walked to put Pioneers at first and second. Alderson delivered the big blow with a three run homerun over the left field fence to spot Marietta a 4-0 advantage.
The Pioneers stretched their lead to 6-0 in the top of the fourth when Rockocy came around to score on a passed ball and Cook drove home Kail, who singled earlier in the inning. The final three innings of the game were scoreless and Marietta won, 6-0.
Jackie Mulvain (Warren, Ohio/Champion) started game two and pitched a complete game shutout to earn her second win on the season. Mulvain allowed five hits, and struck out three batters.
The Pioneers will return to action Thursday (March 14) when they battle with UMass Boston and Swarthmore College, with game one scheduled for 9:45 a.m.
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.
