Marathon doubleheader ends in a split for Gallaudet

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Gallaudet University won its second softball game of the 2011 season on Monday at home but the win almost didn't happen as the Bison and visiting St. Paul's College battled daylight to get the second game to become an official contest. As the Bison hurried to move the game along the Tigers dragged their feet as the sun set in the distance. In the end the second game became official as the Bison won 16-5 in five innings. St. Paul's won the first game 16-9.

The marathon doubleheader took nearly five hours to complete 11 and a half innings. The two teams combined to score 46 runs on just 31 hits, walk 32 batters, commit 14 errors, hit eight batters and slam six home runs. The teams scored three or more runs during an inning on nine different occasions during the twin bill.

The Bison (2-8) scored eight runs in the first inning and seven runs in the second inning in their win. Sophomore catcher Nicole O'Malley (Fredericksburg, Va.) led the way with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate where she scored three runs and knocked in two runs. Sophomore outfielder Alicia Johnson (San Jose, Calif.) slammed a home run as she scored twice and collected three RBI on two hits. All Gallaudet batters in the second game scored at least one run as five different players touched home plate two or more times. Outfielder Michelin Barron (Frederick, Md.) drove in two runs as she recorded two hits including a triple, where she later scored on a Tiger throwing error. Alicia Johnson (1-0) picked up the win in the second game as she allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits, walked one and struck out seven in five innings of work.

In the first game, both teams scored five runs each in the first frame. The Tigers tacked on five more in the second inning to take a 10-5 lead. St. Paul's (4-15) held a 13-5 lead going into the bottom of the fifth inning. The Tigers needed just three outs to end the game early but instead surrendered three runs to the Bison to keep Gallaudet's hopes alive for a victory. The Tigers had four home runs in the first game. Junior Casey McCullough (Oceanside, Calif.) and freshman Caitlin Stevens (Glen Allen, Va.) led the Bison with two hits and two runs apiece. Freshman pitcher Rachel Sweigart (Big Rock, Ill.) suffered the loss as she went four innings, allowed 11 runs on 11 hits, walked four and struck out four. Alicia Johnson came on to relieve Sweigart for the final three innings of play.

Gallaudet will next enter North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) play on Wednesday, March 30, on the road against Wilson College, weather permitting. GU was slated to host Wesley College on Thursday, March 31, but those games have been canceled and will not be made up at this time.