Lexington, Ky. – Behind a pair of key late-inning explosions, the No. 7 Depauw University Tigers prevailed over the No. 10 Transylvania softball team in a Monday afternoon doubleheader at Hall Field.
The Tigers broke open a two-run game in the opener with a sixth-run seventh inning to win 8-0 over the Pioneers in game one and used a three-run burst in the sixth inning of game two to overtake the Pioneers for a 4-2 victory in the nightcap.
The Tigers improved to 14-1 on the season while the Pioneers fell to 10-6.
The afternoon evolved into a game one pitchers' duel between Bowling and Depauw's Cami Henry as only one run between the two teams lit up the scoreboard through the first four innings.
Abby Frazier delivered the lone hit of the game for Transy in the bottom of the first inning on a lead-off single but a double play ended the inning, leaving the game tied 0-0 after one frame.
Depauw notched what would serve as the go-ahead run in the following half-inning on an RBI single to give the Tigers a 1-0 buffer. Bowling continued to keep the Pioneers close, yielding no hits in the third and fourth innings.
The Tigers found a second run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single for a 2-0 lead, but the Pioneers' side was retired in the bottom of the fifth as the offense remained in check. Bowling returned the favor to Depauw in the top of the sixth, but the Pioneers were unable to put a runner aboard in the bottom of the sixth.
The Tigers put the game out of reach with a four-hit seventh inning and took advantage of a Transy error to plate six runners, capped off by a two-run homer. Bowling went the distance in picking up the loss for the Pioneers, issuing one walk to three strikeouts along with eight hits allowed.
Game two featured a similar deadlock to begin the day as Henry dueled with Transylvania freshman Carlee Jeter, who turned in a solid performance over six innings. Allyson O'Dell hit a single in the first inning and Alyssa Nunn shot a hard hit through the 3-4 hole to get aboard in the third, but the Pioneers were unable to plate any early runs.
The Tigers sprang ahead 1-0 in the fourth inning on a solo home run but Jeter offered no further runs from Depauw, holding the game close. Transylvania evened up the score in bottom of the fourth inning with their healthiest offensive output of the afternoon. Stella Wulker led off with a single and O'Dell found her second hit of the game on a base hit. Taylor Senter drew a one-out walk to load the bases. After Kadi Weaver was retired for the second out, Nunn worked a full-count at-bat into a bases-loaded walk, scoring the first run of the game for the Pioneers, but the Tigers were able to retire the looming Pioneer threat, leaving the game tied at 1-all.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Pioneers made their move as Frazier drew a walk with one away. Wulker followed with a deep-hit ball to centerfield for a double, scoring an intent Frazier all the way from first base to give the Pioneers their first lead of the day at 2-1.
Depauw answered back in the next half-inning, scoring three runs on a two-out single combined with an error to score both baserunners from second and third along with the Tiger batter to grab a 4-2 advantage. Transylvania's rallies in the sixth and seventh innings were snuffed out by Depauw, giving the Tigers a comeback win.
Wulker led the way in game two with a 2 for 4 game at the plate with a double and RBI while O'Dell went 2 for 3 at bat. Nunn matched O'Dell with a 2 for 3 game to go with an RBI and a walk.
Jeter was charged with the game two loss, going six innings, striking out three, allowing two earned runs, nine hits and no walks.
The Pioneers next play on Sunday, March 28 against the Spalding University Eagles at home. The doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Hall Field.
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