HELENA, Mont. – University of Providence softball split its second doubleheader of the year against Carroll College, but won the important one, taking Game 1, a conference game, 7-3, and losing Game 2, a non-conference game, 10-2 in 5 innings. The Game 1 win was UP's fifth Cascade Collegiate Conference victory of the year, this time stealing one from a top-five team in the CCC.
When UP faced Carroll in a doubleheader earlier in the week, the Saints dominated the series, winning both games by a combined score of 15-3. The Lady Argos only managed 6 hits total in that doubleheader. They matched that total in Game 1 alone.
UP's record goes to 7-23 (5-15) on the season which has the team in 8th place out of 10 CCC teams.
GAME 1
Key Moments:
- In a way, Bailey Henderson (SR/Fernley, Nev.) continued her effectiveness as a leadoff hitting the first inning, and in a way, she was a product of luck. Patient batting got her to first on a walk. She then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a ground out to second. Then she got lucking while on third, taking advantage of a passed ball to reach home and score the game's first run.
- A home run from Carroll with 2 outs and a runner on base in the bottom of third took away the Argo's lead with the score at 2-1.
- UP set up a good chance for a response in the top of the next inning, starting with a single from Gabrielle Canibeyaz (Sr/Las Vegas, Nev.) and a walk from Kylie Gonzales (SR/Hubbard, Ore.). Two batters later, Karly Southworth (SO/Lewistown, Mont.) walked to load the bases for Karsten Williams (JR/Sandy, Utah).
- Williams and the two UP batters following her each did just enough to drive in a run. Williams hit into a fielder's choice, getting put out at first, but advancing each runner. McKenzie Staats (FR/Great Falls, Mont.) hit into a similar play, only this time, the Saints tried to get Gonzales out at home, but their catcher committed an error and the run scored. Samantha Hernandez (FR/Los Angeles) was next to bat and she grounded out to second but brought Southworth home.
- With a 4-3 lead against a good team, UP needed a little more of a margin to feel comfortable, and Henderson delivered in the top of the fifth. She hit a solo jack over the left field fence, her fourth straight game with a home run.
- Canibeyaz added more insurance in the top of the seventh, with a 2 RBI single that brought the game to its final score of 7-3.
At the Plate:
- Henderson showcased a brilliant combination of patience and power. Not only did she hit her fourth homer in as many games, but she also walked in two of her three other trips to the plate. After taking both of those walks, the senior eventually made her way home, giving her 3 runs while adding a stolen base.
- A primary reason Henderson made it home so often was having Canibeyaz right behind her in the order. Canibeyaz went 2-3 in the game with 2 RBIs and 1 run.
- Thanks to 4 total walks and 1 Carroll error, the Lady Argos ended up with 7 runs but only 6 hits.
In the Circle:
- Kristina George allowed 7 hits in her complete game performance, but she only let 3 of those score and only walked 1 batter. She was helped with one of the team's more consistent defensive performances of the year. The Argos only had 1 error and helped George strand 8 Saints runners on base.
GAME 2
Key Moments:
- The game got out of hand early for UP with Carroll's offense exploding in the bottom of the first. The Saints had 4 hits and made it all the way through the batting order while scoring 5 runs.
- In the top of the fourth, Gonzales hit her fourth home run of the season, with a shot to left center. That run made the score 8-2, but Carroll added 2 runs in the bottom of the inning bringing the game to the 8-run mercy rule.
At the Plate:
- Gonzalez's home run was the best offensive moment of the game for UP. She ended up 1-2 with that hit accounting for an RBI and a run.
- UP's other run was scored by Hanna Tarum (SO/Great Falls, Mont.) and driven in by a sacrifice fly from Staats. Tarum had reached base on a Carroll fielding error.
In the Circle:
- Two players pitched for UP in the game. Ashton Bell (JR/Castle Dale, Utah) got the start and ended up with the loss after pitching 1 and two-thirds innings. KJ Schweikert came in to relieve Bell and pitched the rest of the game.
WHAT'S NEXT
UP has two more four-game series left on the season. The next will come against Oregon Tech on April 20-21 in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
