Aces split doubleheader versus Lions
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With her team trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the 6th inning of the finale in Wednesday’s doubleheader against Lindenwood, Marah Wood launched a 2-run home run to give the University of Evansville softball team a 2-1 victory. The Purple Aces split Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Lions at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.
Game 1 – Lindenwood 5, UE 3
After scoring a single run in the second, Lindenwood added two in the third and another pair of runs in the fourth to open a 5-0 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, Evansville got on the board, Following a leadoff walk by Jess Willsey, Marah Wood singled to set the table for Hannah Hood. The Newburgh, Ind. native came through with a double down the left field line to score Willsey.
Three quick outs ended the threat but the Aces once again put together a rally in the seventh. Taylor Howe recorded a 1-out double to score Brooke Voss, who reached on a walk. Dori Brown came in to pinch run for Howe and crossed the plate on an error by the Lions catcher. Despite the late comeback attempt, the efforts for the Aces came up just short as they dropped a 5-3 decision.
Mikayla Jolly took the loss, throwing the entire 7-inning contest. She allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits. Lindenwood pitcher Amanda Weyh also went the distance, giving up three runs, two being earned, on five hits. Weyh was also the top offensive performer for her squad, going 2-3 with two RBI and a run scored.
Game 2 – UE 2, Lindenwood 1
Pitching was the name of the game in the second game of the doubleheader and it was one pitch that would make the difference. Lindenwood struck first with a single run in the top of the third and would hold that edge until the bottom of the sixth.
Evansville was held to two hits through the first five innings, but the third hit of the day proved to be the biggest of the season. Hannah Hood reached on a walk before Marah Wood stepped to the plate. She launched the first pitch she saw over the left field wall to put the Aces up by a 2-1 score.
The Lions did their best to even the score in the top half of the 7th, but UE starter Megan Brenton shut the door to give UE the win. Brenton earned the win, throwing the entire 7-inning game while giving up just one run on six hits. Wood recorded two out of UE’s three hits in the contest. This weekend, the Aces play their final non-conference tournament before opening up the Missouri Valley Conference slate next week.
