FREDERICK, Md. – After recognizing the team's two seniors, the Hood College softball team earned a split with non-conference opponent Notre Dame University of Maryland, as the Blazers won game one 2-1 in walk off fashion but were shutout 5-0 in game two.
At the Plate
Rebecca Gottleib (Linthicum, Md./North County) went 2-4 with a double and an RBI in game one.
Mallorie Hetzel (Pasadena, Md./Northeast), one of the seniors celebrated before the game, did the same thing as Gottleib, batting 2-4 with a double, as well as driving in the game-winning run.
In the Circle
Gottleib was dominant once again, allowing just one run off of six hits while striking out nine batters to come away with the win in game one.
Hood 2, Notre Dame 1
As Notre Dame's first three batters were put down in order, Hood looked to strike hard and fast with runners on first and second with just one out but was unable to come away with anything.
The Blazers would not make the same mistake twice in a row, as a double from Gottleib with the bases loaded and just one out drove in the game's first run. Although it looked like they would put two runs on the board and have runners in scoring position
with just one out,
Sammy McIntosh (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) was thrown out at home, with the next batter lining out to end the inning.
It was quiet for the next several innings, as the Gators seemed to narrowly escape every time Hood was in a threatening position, and they finally managed to tie the game back up in the top of the sixth.
With Gottleib shutting Notre Dame down in the top of the seventh, the Blazers got the final frame started off the right way, putting runners on the corners with nobody out. There would be no drama getting a run across this time however as Hetzel lifted a ball right over the shortstop and into the outfield to give Hood a tight 2-1 victory.
Notre Dame 5, Hood 0
After Gottleib led off the bottom of the first with a double, there would not be another hit for the home team until the fifth inning at which point the Gators had already sent five runners around to score.
Although the Blazers looked like they may be able to get on the board and start a rally in the bottom of the sixth, they came up empty handed before going down in order in the bottom of the seventh to finish the day with a 5-0 loss.
For the Opponent
Annabelle Hafner went 3-4 with a double in game two.
Jessie Leatherwood allowed four hits and struck out eight batters in the day's second game.
Up Next
Hood gets back to conference play with a doubleheader against Eastern at home Saturday, April 13 at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
