Women's Softball
3/11/2008 - Defense Falters- Royals Swept by Sea Lions
Buena Park, CA- Hope International committed 5 errors in their GSAC double header on Tuesday against #3 Point Loma Nazarene and the speedy Sea Lions made them pay as they swept the Royals- 5-1, 9-1 (5 inn).
In Game 1, the Royals and Sea Lions played a scoreless first three innings as Sophmore Kelsea Mauerhan induced a line out double play to end the top of the third. In the fourth, the tide turned in the Sea Lions favor as they led off the inning with a double and walk. One out later, Kayla Luttmers ripped a line drive single into left field with the runners going on the pitch. Leftfielder Dani Robison over ran the ball and both runners- Paige Powell and Melissa Gomez scored.
In the top of the sixth inning, another error in left field would open the door for three more Sea Lions to score after the Royals had two outs.
The Royals responded with a little two out magic of their own as they would plate their lone run in the bottom of the sixth. Senior Lisa Teberg singled and was doubled in by Freshman Alexis Hurley.
Mauerhan took the tough loss and fell to 2-1 on the year.
The Royals wasted little time digging a hole for themselves in Game 2 as the Sea Lions lead off Amanda Addie reached on an error. Two stolen bases and one wild pitch later, the speedster Addie had scored the game’s first run. The Sea Lions added one more unearned run in the first inning.
Hope threatened in the bottom of the first with the bases loaded and only one out. Unfortunately, one ground ball later and a botched double steal- the Sea Lions were out of the inning.
The “Danielle Combo” manufactured the Royals’ lone run of Game 2 in the second inning. Freshman Danielle Robison singled and Senior Danielle Marinacci doubled her home.
Melissa Gomez sent a blast over the left field fence in the fourth inning to push the Sea Lions lead to 3-1. In the fifth, PLNU would send ten batters to the plate and push across 6 runs on the benefit of a walk, 3 singles, a double and a triple to put the game out of reach. With the eight run lead and the Royals unable to respond in the bottom part of the inning- the mercy rule went into affect.
Sophomore Brittany Hoban reached base safely 4 times (two singles and two walks) to lead the Royals offensively.