FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Pacific University softball team late a late lead slip in game one of the doubleheader against Oregon Tech before dropping the second contest 10-2.
The Owls rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh to tie the score at 2-2 before exploding for a five-run eighth inning to steal the first half of the twin bill at Sherman/Larkins Stadium. Pacific never found their footing in game two and were unable to recover after surrendering four runs in the sixth.
Rylee Patton (Senior/Eastvale, CA) was dealing through six frames in her solid outing, taking a one-hitter into the seventh inning. Unfortunately, Patton began to fatigue as the game wore on and the Owls would take advantage with seven runs in their final two turns at the plate to snatch the victory.
Annika McNeel (Senior/Beaverton, OR) enjoyed a three-hit day, going 2-for-3 in game one before smashing an RBI double in the second game of the day.
Samantha Pettit (Junior/Tigard, OR) swung the bat very well in her 2-for-4 performance.
Game 1
Oregon Tech's Kaila Mick slapped a double to start the game, but the two teams would go hitless until the bottom of the fifth.
Elizabeth Young (Senior/Port Orchard, WA) got things started with a sharp line drive to left field and
Carli Zanassi (Freshman/Bothell, WA) would double her home to give the Boxers the lead.
Pacific would double their lead in the sixth when McNeel legged out an infield hit to set the table. Patton followed by hitting a hard groundball to second base and it would be mishandled by the Oregon Tech infielder, allowing a run to score.
Patton allowed two walks to start the seventh and back-to-back hits would bring two runs across for the Owls. The Boxers had the opportunity to walk it off in the home half of the inning, when
Michelle Winfield (Junior/Beaverton, OR) delivered a line-drive to centerfield, but the potential winning-run would be thrown out at the plate.
Oregon Tech rallied for five runs in the eighth and the Boxers would drop game one of the doubleheader 7-2.
Game 2
Taylor Waara (Junior/Kenmore, WA) got the nod in game two and was fairly solid through six innings. She allowed three earned runs and navigated her way out of multiple jams throughout the contest.
Unfortunately, defensive misplays would plague the Boxers as they made five errors in the game.
The Owls scored twice in the first inning and Pacific would quickly get those runs back in the second. Back-to-back doubles from
Jordan Okumura (Freshman/Mililani, HI) and McNeel helped level the score at 2-2.
However, that would conclude Pacific's offensive efforts and Oregon Tech scored eight runs over the final five frames to take the 10-2 win.
Up Next
The Boxers have a week off before they begin Northwest Conference action with a four-game set against Lewis & Clark starting on Feb. 26. First pitch at Sherman/Larkins Stadium is scheduled for 12 p.m.
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