Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 By Seth Wesman
Sports Information Intern
MISHAWAKA, Ind. — Alexis Carpenter delivered another gem from the mound, firing a 3-hit shutout for the Goshen College softball team in game one of the Leafs' afternoon doubleheader with Bethel College on Saturday. Goshen took game one 3-0 but the Pilots earned a split with a 5-1 victory in game two.
Goshen (8-16, 5-13 Crossroads League) opened the afternoon's scoring with a pair of runs in the top of the first when Sandra Rodriguez and Brooke Maes scored on the Pilots' second error of the inning.
That lead was more than enough for Carpenter, who held Bethel (2-25, 2-16) to 3 hits across 7 innings for the complete-game shutout. Carpenter struck out 4 while allowing a single base on balls.
The Maple Leafs scored the final run of the contest in the top of the sixth when Rodriguez scored on Sydney Stein's one-out single to right field.
Rodriguez's 2 runs led the Goshen offense as Maes, Stein, Rodriguez, Jenna Thompson and Courtney Crapser each tallied hits in the win.
Bethel's Danica Mast got the start and was the losing pitcher, despite none of the 3 runs Goshen scored being earned. Mast struck out a pair and walked a pair while allowing 5 hits.
Victoria Ebersol, Hunter Brummett and Allena McElfresh all collected hits off Carpenter.
Game two saw Bethel get the early edge as Katie Rhoade doubled home Ebersol before Brummett hit a two-run home run to center field to give the Pilots a 3-0 lead after the first inning.
Goshen cut the Pilots' lead to 3-1 in the third when Crapser scored on Rodriguez's single to right. Bethel tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the inning, which secured the 5-1 victory.
Maes was Goshen's starter in game two and threw 6 innings, conceding 5 runs on 7 hits. Rodriguez and Stein led the Leafs in hits with 2 apiece while Rodriguez recorded Goshen's lone RBI of the nightcap.
Rachel Najdek got the win for Bethel, throwing 7 innings and giving up a single run on 9 hits with a pair of strikeouts.
Brummett's 2 RBIs led the Pilots with Rhoade, McElfresh and Mackenzie Orphanidis each driving in runs.
The Maple Leafs will be back in action on Monday, kicking off an eight-game week when they travel to Marion to play conference opponent Indiana Wesleyan University. The afternoon doubleheader, which has been postponed twice, is slated for 4 p.m.
