IRVINE, Calif. – Dominican softball overcame a late mistake to top Fort Lewis 3-2 in its second game Friday afternoon at the Great Park.
Melissa Garcia followed up her brilliant first game with a triple and a single from the plate to begin game two, extending her streak to six at bats reaching safely to begin the year for the Penguins (1-1).
Kassidy Stetler was magnificent in the circle for Dominican not allowing an earned run while striking out six in a complete game of work to earn the victory. Makenna Milliman had the best day at the plate for the Skyhawks (0-1) going 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Hailie Mann pitched eight innings allowing two earned runs from the circle in the loss.
Garcia continued her hot streak as she tripled to left field on the first pitch of the game.
Tiare Guerrero then laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to bring her home for the 1-0 lead on the second pitch of the game.
Marina Medina took the third pitch into center field for a single. Dominican looked to add to the lead as
Alexis Abalos came in to pinch run and stole second and then third while
Morgan Saucedo drew a walk to put runners on the corners, but the Skyhawks escaped the inning on a groundout to first to keep the game close.
Stetler had a stellar start to the game as she struck out the first batter she faced and allowing no hits in the first inning. She then struck out the side in the bottom of the second to keep her momentum going and maintain the slim lead for the Penguins. Garcia singled through the left side to lead off the third inning then stole second with an errant throw from the catcher allowing her to take third with no outs. Guerrero attempted the squeeze again but Fort Lewis was ready and was able to get Garcia into a pickle before tagging her and then also throwing out Guerrero at second for the double play.
The Skyhawks' first hit came in the bottom of the fourth as Alex Tenorio roped the first pitch she saw back up the middle but could go no further as Stetler continued to hold them out of scoring position. It would not be until Alyssa Fockler doubled to lead off the bottom of the sixth that Fort Lewis would record a scoring opportunity. A fielding error in center field kept the inning alive and Milliman cashed in the extended inning with a single to bring in the tying run.
After a scoreless seventh, the game headed into extra innings with runners placed on second to start each frame. Guerrero brought the team's top speed to the base paths as she started at second for Dominican.
Taylor Rodriguez entered as a pinch hitter to lead off the inning and delivered a clutch single into center field to bring home Guerrero for the 2-1 lead.
Kate Tobola then entered as a pinch runner and stole second to get another runner into scoring position.
Annabelle Burke entered as a pinch hitter and she too delivered a clutch hit with a double to the outfield fence that brought home Tobola for the 3-1 lead.
The Skyhawks attempted some small ball with a sacrifice bunt to begin the inning to move their runner to third. Mykel Torres then reached on a fielding error at third to get on base and Dominican conceded a steal at second to keep the runner at third. A groundout brought home the original runner, but Stetler ended the game on the next at bat as she caught Tenorio swinging to earn the victory.
The Penguins will return to action Saturday as they begin their doubleheader by taking on Central Washington at 10:30 a.m. PST at th Great Park before a matchup with Cal State San Bernardino at 3:30 p.m.
