LAKE WALES, Fla. - Warner Softball took on the (RV) College of Coastal Georgia for a 3 game series on Thursday and Friday that saw the Royals taking 1 of the 3 games in a tightly contested series. The Royals fell in game 1 on Thursday by a score of 6-to-2, then stormy weather halted game 2 after 6 Innings but Warner was able to close out the win 3-to-2. The final game of the series was a true pitcher's duel as both starters went the distance that would end in favor of the Mariners with a final score of 1-to-0.
Game 1: Royals Fall 6-2
The Royals found themselves down early after (RV) Coastal Georgia was able to drive in a run during the first Inning. After a quiet next few Innings the Mariners would extend their lead in the 4th and 5th Innings to give themselves a 6-to-0 lead entering the final Innings of play. Warner rallied in the bottom of the 5th that started with a lead off single off the bat of
Abby Faircloth before
April Dominguez was able to draw a walk to get 2 runners on base.
Diana Martin was able to successfully lay down a sacrifice bunt to move up both runners into scoring position for
Autumn Calcagno. The Senior took advantage of the opportunity given to her driving a pitch to left field to drive in 2 runs for the Royals. Warner was unable to complete the comeback as the Mariners would go on to close out the 6-to-2 win.
Warner Stat Leaders - Game 1
Hits: Autumn Calcagno (2)
RBIs: Autumn Calcagno (2)
Ks: Elle Hernandez (5)
Game 2: Royals Win 3-2
Warner took the lead early in game 2 as they were able to create a 2 run rally in the 2nd Inning.
April Dominguez brought in the first run when she managed to lay down a tremendous bunt to bring in
Grace Derstine on what would go down as an infield RBI single. After loading the bases, Calcagno drove in the Royals 2nd run of the Inning on a sacrifice fly to center field that got Faircloth in at home safely.
Elle Hernandez threw an incredible game for Warner in game 2, only needing 53 pitches for her to go the distance for the Royals. Hernandez threw 4 scoreless Innings to start the game, then in the 5th Inning poor weather began to roll in and forced a short rain delay in the game.
The Mariners were able to tie up the game after the break, scoring 2 runs of their own in the 5th Inning. The Royals retook the lead the in the 6th when
Diana Martin hit an RBI single to left field to bring
Meagan Bruns home to give the Royals a 3-to-2 lead. Harsh weather returned at the conclusion of the 6th Inning and forced the game to be halted until Friday morning. The two teams returned to Daly Field Friday morning to complete game 2 where Hernandez and the Royals defense shut down the Mariners to close out a 3-2 win. Hernandez earned the win in game 2 throwing a complete game and allowed only 2 runs on 4 hits against a strong Mariners offense.
Warner Stat Leaders - Game 2
Hits: Alisha Wagoner & Diana Martin (2)
RBIs: Autumn Calcagno & Diana Martin (1)
Stolen Bases: April Dominguez (1)
Game 3: Royals Fall 1-0
The final game of the SUN Conference series between the Royals and Mariners was a true pitcher's duel as both starting pitchers would go the distance and throw in all 7 Innings. Hernandez picked up where she left off throwing another incredibly efficient game and only needed 55 pitches to record 7 Innings. The Sophomore did not strikeout any Mariners in game 3 as she was able to get many of the batters she faced out in 2 pitches or less, like she did in the 3rd Inning needing only 6 pitches to record all 3 outs. The Mariners would eventually break the tie in the 7th on an BRI groundout that would be enough to take the final game of the series 1-0.
Up Next:
The Royals will head to West Palm Beach to take on
#14 Keiser University for another 3 Game SUN Conference Series on
Friday, March 20th at 3:00 PM, followed by a double-header on
March 21st at Noon and 2:00 PM.
#GodBlessGoRoyals | #TogetherAsOne
