FREDERICK, Md. – The Hood College softball team could not upset No. 25 Eastern University in its first Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth doubleheader of the season, falling 12-2 and 3-0 at home.
At the Plate
Lizzie McConnell (Stevensville, Md./Kent Island) went 2-3 in game one, leading off with a double in the first inning.
Rory Achey (Lewisberry, Pa./Red Land) finished the first game batting 2-3 with a walk.
In the Circle
Sydney Weaver (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield) took the game one loss, pitching 3.1 innings.
Taylor Lowe (Laurel, Del./Delmarva Christian) threw all seven innings in game two, allowing just one earned run.
Eastern 12, Hood 2 (5 inn.)
After Weaver allowed just one hit to start the game, Hood's offense started off strong in the bottom of the first, with McConnell driving a double to deep center before
Kara Heidlauf (Mount Joy, Pa./Donegal High School) brought her around with a single to open the scoring. With runners on the
corners and two outs, a deep
Bailey Pysher (Pottstown, Pa/Pottsgrove) hit was bobbled by the outfield and allowed Achey to score, and the Blazers found themselves ahead 2-0 over their nationally ranked opponent.
Eastern would respond immediately though, tying the game in the second before taking its first lead at 3-2 in the third.
The Eagles were clearly not comfortable with their one-run lead in the fourth inning, and their bats suddenly lit up, putting up a nine-spot in the frame and forcing a pitching change during the inning. Unfortunately, Hood was unable to get enough runs to prevent the mercy rule from going into effect after the fifth inning, and the Blazers would take an early 12-2 loss.
Eastern 3, Hood 0
Neither team was able to break the deadlock in the first two innings, but a dropped fly ball allowed Eastern to get on the board in the top of the third.
Both pitchers continued to deal as the game got to its later stages with neither showing any signs of cracking, but Lowe got into a bit of trouble in the sixth with two runners in scoring position and just one out. Although she got the next batter to strike out, a base hit from the batter after scored both runners on base to make it a 3-0 deficit for Hood.
Despite no other runs from the Eagles in the seventh, the Blazers were unable to generate enough offense for a comeback despite solid contact from their hitters.
For the Opponent
Hailey Burke went 2-2 with two RBIs and a triple in game one.
Maura Yoos finished the first game 4-4.
Gia Gordon struck out seven batters in the second game.
Notes
Hood drops to 3-12-1 (0-2), while Eastern moves to 11-3 (3-1).
Up Next
The Blazers have a quick turnaround as they head to Baltimore, Maryland for a doubleheader against Notre Dame of Maryland University Sunday, March 22 at 2 and 4 p.m.
