Tucson, Ariz. (March 17, 2007)-The Edgewood College Eagles split their second pair of games in as many days at the Tucson Invitational in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday. The Eagles topped Kalamazoo College (Kalamazoo, MI) in the afternoon game 6-4, before suffering a painful bottom of the seventh defeat, 5-4, to Eastern Connecticut State (Willimantic, CT).
A five-run second inning for the Eagles against Kalamazoo turned out to be the deciding differentiation in the Eagles victory. In the inning, Jen Stephens (St. Charles, Ill.) belted a 3-run home run, which was coupled with strong defensive effort from the Eagles the remainder of the game. Until the seventh inning, the Eagles allowed only 1 run on 6 hits to Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo did add 2 runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it was too little, too late for the Hornets. Sophomore pitcher Jenna Ryan (Waunakee, Wis.) pitched three solid innings for the Eagles, striking out three batters and allowing no earned runs. Meanwhile, it was the Stephens sisters, Jen and Jessica, (St. Charles, Ill.) who provided the offensive prowess, each driving in 3 RBI’s, generating the Eagles 6 total runs in the game.
In the nightcap against Eastern Connecticut State, the Eagles held a stingy 4-2 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning. Here, the game unraveled for the Eagles. With two outs in the inning and down by one-run, the Warriors Nikki Vachon planted a game-ending bloop single into left field that scored Leigha Abair from third, winning the game for ECSU. The loss was especially tough to swallow as the Eagles had managed to take the lead in the prior inning with 3-runs, heading into the final inning. Senior, Kristin Borre (2-3) (Beloit, Wis.) pitched the full game for the Eagles, striking out three and allowing 10 hits. Jen Stephens (St. Charles, Ill.) went 3-for-3, walking once.
With the split, the Eagles move to 4-4 overall on the season, which includes a 2-2 record in the Tucson Invitational. Next, the Eagles hope to wrap up their 2007 Tucson campaign on Sunday March 18, with success when they take on Luther College and Manchester College in their final two games of the Invitational.
Josh Juedes, Edgewood College Sports Information
