(Tucson, Ariz.) – The Dickinson softball team split games on Thursday and Friday to finish its spring break tour even at 6-6 on the season. The Devils suffered a 2-0 loss to Southwestern (Texas) and rebounded to top Alfred for the second time this week, 11-3.
On Friday the Devils faced two strong opponents, falling to Central (Iowa), 13-1, before posting a 4-3 win over Trinity University.
Central scored three runs on just one hit in the first inning and added a pair in the second to take an early 5-0 lead. The Devils put a run on the board in the fourth. Katie Swade (New Freedom, Pa./Susquehannock) reached on walk and moved to third on a passed ball and a wild pitch. Casey Ditzler (Cleona, Pa./Annville-Cleona) drew a walk and Swade then came in a double-steal.
Central erupted in the top of the seventh, scoring eight runs to close out the game.
Dickinson battled to end to take down Trinity to finish out the week. The Red Devils overcame a nine-strikeout effort by Sydney Friday to earn the win.
The teams played scoreless through the opening five innings. The Devils struck first in the top of the sixth to take a 1-0 lead. With two outs, Swade reached on an error and came around to score on a double from Ditzler.
Trinity answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth, using back-to-back doubles from Kaci Wellik and Kayleigh Kinlaw.
The Devils responded with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh. Capitalizing on a pair of Trinity errors, sophomore Stephanie Hammond (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville) scored on a wild pitch and Becca Garlinger (Enola, Pa./East Pennsboro) came in on a RBI from Nicole Piet (Robbinsville, N.J./Robbinsville).
The Tigers would score in the bottom half to force extra innings. Brooke Sanchez reached on a walk and was sacrificed over to second base. She stole third and came in on an RBI single by Brittany Haby.
Stacie Maring (Woodbine, Md./South Carroll) was placed on second base for the international tie-breaker. The Devils took advantage immediately as Swade reached on an error as Maring came in to score to put the Devils up, 4-3.
Trinity sacrificed Becca Rush to third but left her stranded as the Devils held on for the win.
Friday held the Devils to just three hits as Dickinson earned the win with four unearned runs in the game. Junior Chelsea Homa (Newton, N.J./Newton) went the distance in the circle to record the win.
The Red Devils stand even at 6-6 on the year. They return east and will travel to Susquehanna University for a double-header on Tuesday. The opening pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm.
