Omaha
Gardner Webb
Mavericks conclude Play in Alabama
Feb 28, 2016 | Softball
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Omaha wrapped up play at the ASU Hornet Tournament by dropping a 12-6 decision to Gardner-Webb on Sunday morning at the Barbara Williams Softball Complex. The Mavericks are 6-9 overall this season, while Gardner-Webb improved to 9-6 overall.
Omaha led Lamar 1-0 after two innings, but couldn't hold the lead. Kelly Pattison hit a one-out infield single and Sydney Hames reached on a fielding error. Lizzie Noble reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Pattison to score.
The Runnin' Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third. Megan Champion hit a one out single and came home on Breanna Blakley's home run to left center.
Gardner-Webb pulled away in the top of the fourth as it added six runs on five hits. The first five Runnin' Bulldog batters reached base and increased the lead to 4-1. Two more hits and a sacrifice fly drove in four more runs and gave GWU an 8-1 lead.
Maverick left fielder Lizzie Noble led off the bottom of the fourth with a double down the left field line. Campbell Ditto reached base when she was hit by a pitch giving Omaha two on with no outs. After a ground out moved the runners up one base, Megan May walked to load the cases. Pinch hitter Lia Mancuso roped a double to left center scoring Noble and Ditto. Nicole Warren hit a two-out single bringing home May.
Gardner-Webb answered the Omaha rally with three runs in the top of the fifth on four hits to extend its lead to 11-4.
Noble reached on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the fifth. Ditto roped a triple to left center scoring Noble. Bailey Schulenberg reached after being hit by a pitch, but the rally was quelled as the next batter hit into a double play.
The Runnin' Bulldogs added a run in the sixth to make the score 12-5. The Mavs got the run back in the bottom half of the inning. Tara Trede led off with an infield hit and moved to second on a ground out by Kourtney Pock. Pattison singled to left scoring Trede making the final score 12-6.
Omaha returns to the diamond next weekend at the Colorado State Classic. The Mavericks open the tournament against Idaho State on Saturday, March 5 at 11 a.m. (CT), before taking on tournament host Colorado State at 1:30 p.m. (CT).
