BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Birmingham-Southern softball team split their doubleheader against Pacific Luther in a tough matchup on Friday, February 17. The Panthers took game one 5-4 over the Lutes before falling 9-5 after a bad inning in the second game.
Game one
The Lutes were the first on the board in the top of the first with a two hit inning. Pacific Luthern put up another run in the top of the third to make it 2-0 in favor of the Lutes.
Olivia Trout saw four batters in the top of the fourth and struck out the fourth.
Jordyn Green caught a runner stealing for the second out of the inning
The bottom of the fourth saw the first run for the Panthers.
Emma Jolley started the inning off with a single to left field and advanced to second. Jolley advanced to third on a passed ball and
Olivia Trout drew a walk. Trout stole second and Jolley scored on the throw to make it 2-1. Trout saw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fifth with plays from her defense keeping it a hitless inning. The Lutes added two runs on three hits in the top of the sixth. In the bottom of the sixth,
Izzy Berkopec drew a two out walk and
Margaret Axelson singled to center field to bring in
Morgan McGuire.
Jordyn Green tied up the game with a bases clearing double that brought in Berkopec and Axelson.
Margaret Axelson came in to pitch for the Panthers in the top of the seventh and struck out three to keep it 4-4. The game headed into extra innings with Birmingham-Southern holding the Lutes to a tie game in the top of the eighth.
Morgan McGuire started off the bottom of the eighth with a single to left field.
Izzy Berkopec drew a walk that set up
Margaret Axelson to drive in the walk-off run with a double to left field, the Panthers winning it 5-4.
Pitching decisions
WIN: Margaret Axelson (2-0)
LOSS: Jade Behic (1-1)
Records
Birmingham-Southern 2-1 Overall, Pacific Lutheran 5-2 Overall
Game two
Cassidy Dickson got her first start of the season in the second game of the doubleheader and started off strong for the Panthers. She faced four batters in the top of the first, then saw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second and third. Pacific Lutheran was the first on the board, putting up one run in the top of the fourth. Birmingham-Southern got their momentum going in the bottom of the fourth with five runs on three hits and an error from the Lutes. The Panthers had the bases loaded when
Maile White reached on a fielders choice that brought in
Emma Jolley and
Jordyn Green. With bases loaded and only one out,
Izzy Berkopec doubled down the left field line to score White and Trout, making it 4-1.
Alyssa Fowler brought in the final run of the inning with a sacrifice bunt that brought in
Morgan McGuire.
Margaret Axelson came in to pitch in the top of the fifth, facing four batters and striking out one. The Lutes took control of the game in the top of the seventh with eight runs on ten hits, making it 9-5. The Panthers were unable to capitalize in the bottom of the seventh and fell to Pacific Lutheran.
Pitching decisions
WIN: Amaya Smith (2-0)
LOSS: Olivia Trout (0-1)
Records
Birmingham-Southern 2-2 Overall, Pacific Lutheran 6-2 Overall
Up next
Birmingham-Southern will play a doubleheader at home against #23 Mount St. Joseph University on Saturday, February 18 starting at 12 p.m.
