BELMONT, Calif. – Sophomore
McKenzie Schumacher led Dominican softball in a come-from-behind 7-6 victory Tuesday over Notre Dame de Namur to salvage a split after falling 6-4 in the first game at Notre Dame High School.
Schumacher drove in four runs in the second game for the Penguins (14-26, 5-15 PacWest) and finished 3 for 6 on the day with four stolen bases and two runs scored.
Alyssa Waltman (4-6) earned the victory in the circle in the second game allowing one earned run in 5.1 innings of relief work. Waltman also helped herself from the plate going 3 for 4 with three runs scored and one RBI in the game.
Aurora Adams led the Argonauts (11-26, 7-9 PacWest) with a 5 for 7 day from the plate to go with four RBI. Sofia Garcia moved to 6-7 on the year with the win in the first game allowing three hits and one earned run in seven innings.
Dominican took control after Adams gave NDNU a 5-0 lead with a 2-RBI double in the second inning of the second game. Waltman entered the circle to record the final out of the second and then singled and stole second to lead off the third. She then came home from third on a ground out to get the Penguins offense on the board.
Dahlen Dennis,
Mady Christensen and Waltman loaded the bases quickly for Dominican in the fifth and Schumacher cut the Argonaut lead to 5-3 with a 2-out single. NDNU got a run back in the bottom of the frame as Tivoli Sisco drew a leadoff walk and came home on Alexxis Corona's single as the Argonauts fought to hold off Dominican surge.
The Penguins kept things rolling on offense as
Karitza Reyes,
Tayler Munoz and Dennis singled to load the bases once again in the top of the sixth. Christensen made it four consecutive singles to bring home Reyes and a fielder's choice brought in another run to cut the deficit to one. After
Alexis Chinchilla was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs, Schumacher again came through with the clutch single to give Dominican the 7-6 lead.
After Waltman stranded a runner at first in the bottom of the sixth, the Argonauts made one last push for the tie in the seventh. With a runner on first, Corona singled to move the tying run into scoring position with two outs, but Waltman got pinch hitter Jesenia Arzaga to pop out to short to end the game.
The Penguins started the first game strong as
Vanessa Porto walked and Schumacher reached safely on a throwing error after a sacrifice bunt. Schumacher then stole second to put runners on second and third with no outs. Reyes brought in Porto with a high fly ball to center and Schumacher stole third on the next at bat. Schumacher gave Dominican the 2-0 lead when she crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
Alessandra Giannavola helped the Argonauts answer quickly with a leadoff double and then Adams brought her home with a single to cut the lead in half. Adams then tied the game on Megan Lawson's sacrifice fly.
The game was a pitcher's duel for the next three innings as each team managed two hits, but the score remained tied. NDNU then grabbed control of the game in the bottom of the fifth with four consecutive singles and a pair of walks to take a three-run lead with no outs. Waltman came into the game in relief and was able to get out of the inning, but not before the Argonauts added one more for the 6-2 lead.
Schumacher bunted for an infield single to begin the sixth innings and advanced to third on a stolen base and a passed ball. After
Alyssa Ramirez drew a walk, an errant relay throw allowed Schumacher to come home and Ramirez advanced to third. Reyes brought home Ramirez with a sacrifice fly to center to make it 6-4, but the Penguins were unable to get any closer.
Dominican will return home Saturday to host Dixie State in a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. PDT at Penguin Field. Live stats will be available online.
