Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Box Score (vs. Dubuque)
Box Score (vs. Nazareth)

TUCSON, Ariz. – Slow starts in early morning games are hard to overcome, but the Edgewood College softball team woke up just in time to dig out of a five run hole against the University of Dubuque. The Eagles tallied six runs in the sixth inning to take the 10-8 comeback victory. However, the Eagles could not carry their momentum over as Nazareth College scored two runs in the seventh inning to take the second game 3-1.

Dubuque (6-5) jumped on the Eagles early as Amber Meyer drew a walk to start the game. After two outs and another walk, Kelli Gerace delivered the big blow, a two-run double to center field. The Spartans tacked on one more run in the inning and two more in the second to take a commanding 5-0 after two innings.

Alexis Unser ignited the Edgewood College offense when she drew a walk to leadoff the third inning. It didn't take long for her to come into score as the next batter, Emily Monson, hammered her first home run of the season down the left field line to get the Eagles on the board. After an out, Jessica Spitzer ripped a deep home run to center field to get the Eagles within two runs. Later in the inning with two outs and the bases loaded, Alyssa Schulting battled through a 10-pitch at bat to earn a walk and bring the Eagles within one at 5-4.

It took a couple innings, but Dubuque had an answer in the fifth inning as the first two batters reached on singles. Jessica Nearad came up next and laced a home run to left center field to stretch the lead back to four runs at 8-4.

Unser was the key again in the sixth inning as she drew a leadoff walk and Monson followed with a single to put two runners on. Unser scored on a throwing error and Chandler Gloudeman singled through the left side to score another and bring the Eagles within two. Carlene DeCoster came up next and laced a double to left center that scored two and tied the game at 8-8. After the second out of the inning, Schulting crushed two-run double to left center, giving Edgewood College their first lead of the game at 10-8.

Pitching in relief, Brittany Andrews slammed the door shut on the Spartans as she used just four pitches to retire the side in the seventh and give the Eagles the exciting 10-8 comeback win. Andrews went four and two-thirds innings in relief, striking out two and earning her third win of the season. DeCoster led the Eagle offense, going 3-for-4 with two runs batted in and scoring once. Spitzer also went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one run batted in.

Edgewood College (7-7) tried to carry the momentum from that win over, and they did early as the Eagles opened the scoring in the second inning. Gloudeman drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After an out, Gloudeman game in to score when Katie Landon laced a double down the left field line, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead over Nazareth.

The Golden Flyers (1-6) threatened to tie the contest in the third inning, but Charlie Leikness stranded the bases loaded to keep the Eagle lead intact. Edgewood College could not tack on any runs and Nazareth tied the game in the fifth inning on a ground out.

The game remained tied until the seventh inning when the Golden Flyer offense warmed up. Shauna Bardanis led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Sarah Cipperly singled and advanced to second on the throw to put runners on second and third with just one out. Liz Toner came up big for the Golden Flyers as she roped triple to right field to score both runners and give Nazareth a 3-1 lead going to the bottom of the seventh inning.

After back-to-back ground outs to the shortstop started the seventh inning, Unser hit a ball in the direction of Toner at short, and the home plate umpire ruled the ball hit the ground. However, after a short discussion, the umpires decided that Toner did get her glove under the ball to end the game and hand the Eagles the 3-1 loss.

Jessica Diaz, Kayla Rackow, and Landon all recorded one hit apiece to lead the Eagle offense while Leikness tossed all seven innings in the circle and struck out two.

Edgewood College will have a couple weeks off until they open their conference schedule on March 31 at Alverno College. The Eagles will be at home at Ceniti Park in Verona the next day against Dominican University. Both doubleheaders are scheduled to start at 12:00 p.m.