Walkoff in the Eighth Gives RedTails the Win
The RedTails hosted a conference double header against Northeast Community College. The RedTails split on the day, losing game one 5-1 and winning game two 6-5 in eight innings.
Game One: 1 (HCC), 5 (NCC)
The Hawks of Northeast struck first, scoring in the top of the second. They scored three runs off a RedTail error, three singles, and a double.
In the bottom of the third, the RedTails scored when Mackenzie Bridgewater started with a single and scored on an Isabelle Kriegel double. That was the only run to cross the board for the RedTails this game.
The fourth inning was quiet, but the fifth inning saw two more runs cross home for the Hawks, scoring on a single and home run.
The RedTails were shut down offensively the next few innings, handing them the 5-1 loss.
At the plate, Bridgewater led the way, going 2-3 with one run scored. Kriegel added a hit and run batted in. On the mound, Mya Chamberlin took the loss, going seven innings, giving up eleven hits, five runs, two earned, two walks, and three strikeouts.
Game Two: 6 (HCC), 5 (NCC); eight innings
Northeast started off the first inning scoring two runs on a single and homerun.
The RedTails answered quickly in the bottom of the first. Chamberlin hit a single and scored when Ellie Lorenz hit the first homerun of the day for the RedTails.
The Hawks then responded with another two run home run to give them a 4-2 lead.
Not to be outdone, the RedTails answered when Alyvia Anderson, Jordan Eads, and Rylie Devlin all hit singles to load the bases. Bridgewater then hit a single to score Anderson. An unfortunate double play ended the threat for the RedTails, but they were able to get one run back, making it a 4-3 ballgame.
It wasn't until the bottom of the sixth inning when bats came back to life for both teams. Anderson hit a solo shot to tie the game.
The Hawks bounced back and had a single, walk, and single to give them the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh.
Not afraid of a challenge, Rylie Devlin came up to the plate in the bottom of the seventh. She hit her first collegiate homerun to tie the game and sending it to extra innings.
The RedTail defense was solid in the eighth, going three up three down. With the bats back in the hands of Hawkeye, they saw opportunities and took them. Lorenz hit a single to start the inning. Emilee Bergmann came in to run for Lorenz, and she quickly stole second base. With Anderson up to bat, she kept her hot hitting for the game going by hitting a line drive over the center fielder's head. This allowed Bergmann to cross home plate, taking the 6-5 win.
At the plate, Anderson led the way, going 3-4 with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Lorenz, Chamberlin, Devlin, and Eads each added two hits in the game. On the mound, Lillian McCarty got the win, going eight innings, giving up eight hits, five runs, five earned, one walk, and two strikeouts.
The RedTails are back at home on Wednesday, April 8th against Northeast Iowa Community College. Game time is set for 2:00 and 4:00 PM.
