SALISBURY, Md.--Sophomore Krista Zerby lined a single to left
center with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the
fourth-seeded Hood College softball team (11-22) to a dramatic 1-0
victory over sixth-seeded Stevenson University (13-19) to stave off
elimination from the Capital Athletic Conference tournament at
Salisbury University Saturday.
After battling through six-and-a-half scoreless innings, Hood
had a chance to win it in the bottom of the seventh. Rightfielder
Jen Willison ripped a one-out double to center and advanced to
third on a passed ball. But Mustang starter Sarah Moelter got Zerby
to pop up and Jess Krietz to fly out to center to force extra
innings.
In the top of the eighth, Hood starter Jamie Gardner worked out
of a jam to keep the score deadlocked at zero. After Jessica
Bandzwolek singled with one out, Gardner retired Lisa Bilski on a
pop-up to second. But Moelter singled to left to put runners at the
corners for first baseman Michelle January. Gardner got January
looking at a called third strike, her seventh punchout of the game.
After Moelter retired the Blazers in order in the bottom of the
eighth, the Mustangs threatened again in the top of the ninth.
After Gardner retired Lauren Davis on a groundout and Kelly Dorsey
on strikes, Stacey Rouse and Brittani Rynkowski collected
consecutive hits to put runners at second and third. Bridgette
Ringley came in to relieve Gardner, but hit the first batter she
faced in Laura Bedgar to load the bases. The freshman showed
tremendous poise in the circle and got clean-up hitter Bandzwolek
to foul out to third baseman Jen Lacy to end the threat.
The Blazers put together the decisive rally in the bottom of the
ninth. Katherine Law got things going with a one-out single up the
middle and Steph Gardner followed with a base hit to left. Willison
then hit a groundball to right right side which advanced the
runners to second and third, setting the table for Zerby's heroics.
The Blazer catcher collected her 14th RBI of the season which
plated Law for the triumphant walk-off victory.
Gardner pitched 8.2 scoreless innings, allowing just seven hits
and strikingout eight. Ringley was credited with the victory, her
sixth of the season. In addition to scoring the game-winning run,
Law collected a pair of base hits.
The Blazers will face third-seeded York College (Pa.) at 4 p.m.
today.
