WINTER PARK, Fla. - The Bloomsburg softball team split its doubleheader on Tuesday against No. 25 Rollins.
In game one,
Callie Sowers (Irwin, Pa/Hempfield Area) provided the winning performance from the mound, going a full seven innings, allowing two hits and just one run (unearned).
Bella Culp (Harrisburg, Pa/Central Dauphin) remained consistent in her approach in the first game, going 3-for-4 from the leadoff spot.
Taylor Welsh (Pottsville, Pa./Pottsville) provided the defining offensive moment of the contest, sending a two-run home run over the wall to secure a 3-1 victory.
In game two, the Huskies could not plate a runner, unable to capitalize on opportunities with runners in scoring position in a 6-0 defeat.
Alex Iseminger (Everett, Pa./Everett Area) went 2-for-3 with a double at the plate.
Bloomsburg moves to 7-3 after the split, ending a 13-game winning streak for the ranked Tars. Rollins sits with an overall record of 20-6 on the season.
Game One:
Sowers once again led the charge from the mound for the Huskies, piecing together another stellar display. The right-hander kept the best base-stealing team in the country off the bags and mitigated the top-scoring offense in the Sunshine State Conference. The Irwin, Pa. native dominated through the first six innings, with a perfect game-bid broken up in the bottom of the fifth with a two-out double at the wall.
After the first two batters in the inning reached base, Sowers remained composed under pressure, recording the final three outs of the inning and allowing one run to cross the plate. The pitcher's efforts were helped throughout the day by strong defense throughout the field, with the infield and outfield chipping in to protect the lead.
Bloomsburg helped Sowers' cause by taking a 1-0 lead in the first. Culp led off the first with a single down the line in left field before being successfully bunted over by
Sage Weidlich (Pittston, Pa./Pittston). An errant throw at third base attempting to get Culp out allowed the Huskies' shortstop to score.
With the pitchers' duel continuing into the fifth inning, Welsh who provided the offensive spark to lift Bloomsburg past Rollins.
Gianna Gombeda (Hazleton, Pa./Hazleton) reached base with an infield single before Welsh stepped up to the plate. Facing an 0-2 count, Welsh smashed the third pitch of the at-bat to center field to bring home the deciding runs and make it a 3-0 game.
Game Two:
The Huskies could not replicate their quick start as in game one, instead falling behind early. The Tars scored six runs through the first two innings, using timely hitting and patience at the plate to hold on to a 6-0 advantage from the second until the final pitch.
Bloomsburg had its first scoring opportunity of the contest in the second after
Sarah Yamrick (Fort Myers, Fla./Bishop Verot) led off the inning with a single before advancing to third on a double from Iseminger. The Huskies could not get the ball out of the infield, stranding both runners on the base paths.
The Huskies looked to piece together a two-out rally in the top half of the fourth, recording three consecutive singles before Rollins escaped the threat.
Kelly Eberly (Purcellville, Va/Homeschooled) had a solid performance out of the bullpen, tossing 4.2 innings in relief and allowing three baserunners to reach with five strikeouts.
On the Horizon:
The Huskies continue their run of games in Florida with another doubleheader series on Wednesday, March 13, beginning at 5:00 p.m. against Florida Southern.
