Grace Biondo

Softball Nick Nemeth

Softball Completes Late Comeback to Walk Off Lakeland, Splits Day One in Florida

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Mount St. Joseph 9, Millikin 1 (6 Innings)

Big Blue Softball travelled down to Florida to participate in the Spring Games taking place over the next week. Millikin matched up with the Lions of Mount St. Joseph University in their opening game. The Big Blue and The Mount are no strangers to one another, as the two teams were both in the same NCAA Regional bracket in Decatur last May.

 Millikin found themselves behind 1-0 early in the first after Ali Lang tripled to lead off the inning and Kelsi Steven scored the run on a sacrifice fly with the next at bat.

The Mount broke the game open in the bottom of the third inning scoring 4 runs. Singles from Lang and Macy Cornelius, along with a sacrifice bunt from Kelsi Steven gave the Lions runners at first and second. Rachel Gabba would then single up the middle and score Lang from 2nd. Cornelius would advance to 3rd on a Big Blue error, and later score on a passed ball. Following a walk and another sacrifice bunt, Kaci Finchum would single into right field, scoring pinch runners Katlin Leslie, and Alyssa Witmer.

Millikin broke the 0 on the scoreboard in the top of the 6th inning. Lanie Chizmark singled to left field and stole second shortly after. Walks drawn by Rylee Blake and Grace Biondo loaded the bases for Millikin. Another base on balls from Gretchen Gould scored the lone run of the contest for the Big Blue.

The Lions offense had another big inning in the 6th. They loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth before a Cornelius single scored the first run of the side. Shortly after, Sara Kardos singled up the middle, scoring Steven and Lang. Cornelius would score on an error to end the game with the final score 9-1.

Macy Cornelius was the offensive leader for The Mount, racking up a 3-4 effort at the dish, while scoring once, and pushing across an RBI. Sara Kardos added 2 RBI in the effort as well.

Grace Biondo led the way offensively for the Big Blue going 1-1 at the plate, while also drawing 2 walks and adding a stolen base. Gretchen Gould was credited with the lone RBI in the game for Millikin.

Kamryn McCool (5-2) picked up the win, striking out 9 and allowing just 3 hits over 6 innings of work.

Aly Armstrong (3-1) takes the loss for Millikin. She struck out 3 while allowing 7 hits over 5 innings.

Millikin 5, Lakeland 4

In their second game of the day, Millikin took on Lakeland University.

Lakeland got the first run on the board in the top of the 2nd. Gabby Greetan was hit by a pitch to open the inning, and Alexis Janssen was brought in to pinch run. She would steal second base, and later score when Elizabeth Rohr doubled to left field.

Lakeland would score again in the top of the 3rd inning to increase their lead. Madi Johnson would single to center field to lead off the inning, before a Big Blue error gave the Muskies runners at the corners with one out. Juliana Hall would then single up the middle to score Johnson, making the score 2-0 in favor of Lakeland.

Lakeland would add another pair of runs in the 4th inning. Hannah Volom would reach on a Millikin error, and advance to second on the same play. A sacrifice bunt saw Volom reach 3rd, and a two out triple from Johnson would allow her to score. Following a walk, Cheyenne Mathas would single to left field to score Johnson from 3rd and see the lead get up to 4-0.

Things stayed put until the bottom of the 6th, where the Big Blue completed a stunning 2 out rally to tie the game up. Back-to-back errors by the Muskies allowed runners at first and second for Millikin. Anna Enlow was brought in to pinch run for the Big Blue, and a Cassie Reed single would allow her to reach second, with Grace Biondo at third to load the bases. Lex Tennison then singled down the left field line to score Biondo and Enlow. During the following at bat, Tennison and Reed would both advance on a wild pitch before Emma Lewandowski scored the two runners with a knock to center, bringing the score level at 4-4.

Millikin wasn't done with the late game theatrics. In the bottom of the 7th, Leah Foreman would reach on a fielder's choice, with Biondo knocking a ball into left field to put the potential winning run in scoring position. Katie Detamore was called on to run for Foreman at second, and a walk to Enlow loaded the bases with one out for Cassie Reed. Reed would single through the left side to complete the late game comeback and give Millikin the walk off win 5-4.

Madi Johnson carried the load offensively for Lakeland, racking up a 2-3 outing with an RBI, a triple, and 2 runs scored.

Hannah Nelson (1-1) takes the loss in relief for the Muskies, allowing 3 hits with one strikeout over 0.2 innings of work.

Cassie Reed played the role of hero for Millikin, knocking across the winning run in the 7th inning. Lex Tennison also played a big role, bringing in a crucial 2 RBI with her lone hit of the game.

Addison Sargent (3-0) picks up the win for the Big Blue, allowing 7 hits and striking out 5 over 7 innings.

The Big Blue will be in action tomorrow against Catholic University at 10:45 a.m. ET, and Rowan University at 5:15 pm ET

 

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Players Mentioned

Aly Armstrong

#13 Aly Armstrong

P
5' 7"
Senior
R/R
Grace Biondo

#15 Grace Biondo

IF
5' 3"
Senior
R/R
Rylee Blake

#4 Rylee Blake

2B
5' 3"
Sophomore
S/R
Leah Foreman

#22 Leah Foreman

C\IF
5' 6"
Sophomore
R/R
Gretchen Gould

#8 Gretchen Gould

1B/3B
5' 11"
Junior
R/R
Emma Lewandowski

#7 Emma Lewandowski

OF
5' 4"
Sophomore
L/R
Cassie Reed

#10 Cassie Reed

C
5' 1"
Senior
R/R
Addison Sargent

#6 Addison Sargent

P
5' 5"
Junior
R/R
Lex Tennison

#11 Lex Tennison

IF
5' 7"
Senior
R/R
Lanie Chizmark

#12 Lanie Chizmark

Freshman
Katie Detamore

#14 Katie Detamore

Freshman
Anna Enlow

#23 Anna Enlow

Freshman

Players Mentioned

Aly Armstrong

#13 Aly Armstrong

5' 7"
Senior
R/R
P
Grace Biondo

#15 Grace Biondo

5' 3"
Senior
R/R
IF
Rylee Blake

#4 Rylee Blake

5' 3"
Sophomore
S/R
2B
Leah Foreman

#22 Leah Foreman

5' 6"
Sophomore
R/R
C\IF
Gretchen Gould

#8 Gretchen Gould

5' 11"
Junior
R/R
1B/3B
Emma Lewandowski

#7 Emma Lewandowski

5' 4"
Sophomore
L/R
OF
Cassie Reed

#10 Cassie Reed

5' 1"
Senior
R/R
C
Addison Sargent

#6 Addison Sargent

5' 5"
Junior
R/R
P
Lex Tennison

#11 Lex Tennison

5' 7"
Senior
R/R
IF
Lanie Chizmark

#12 Lanie Chizmark

Freshman
Katie Detamore

#14 Katie Detamore

Freshman
Anna Enlow

#23 Anna Enlow

Freshman