HBU-Army Box Score

HBU-SPC Box Score

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Houston Baptist softball team started the Rebel Spring Games with two losses, 2-1 to Army, then 2-0 to St. Peter's College, on Thu., Mar. 15.

In the Huskies' first game of the day against Army, it was a pitcher's duel, with no scoring until the sixth inning. Entering the top of the sixth, HBU had zero runs and two hits and Army had zero runs and three hits.

Army almost untied the game in the bottom of the first, as the Black Knights had runners at first and second with one out. Marina Northup hit a single to left field. April Ortenzo tried to score from second, but was thrown out at the plate by left-fielder Rebecca Rademacher.

In the bottom of the sixth, Army finally got on the board, as pinch-hitter Rae Anne Payleitner hit an RBI single that drove home Amanda Nguyen, who started the inning with a bunt single. With runners at the corners, hurler Kendall Stiefel got a fly out to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh, Kate Maddock got the Husky rally going with a single to right. A groundout placed Maddock at second. Michaela Granchelli singled up the middle, scoring Maddock and tying the game at one. Granchelli advanced to second on a wild pitch and third on an error by the catcher, but could not cross home, as Army got a groundout to end the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Army got its lead-off batter on base, as Rachael Duval reached on an error. Following a walk and an infield single, the Black Knights had the bases loaded and just one out. Ortenzo flew out to left field and the Huskies tried the throw out the runner, but it was too late, as Duval scored, ending the game.

Four Huskies had a hit apiece, as M. Granchelli had the lone RBI and Maddock had the only run.

Stiefel went the distance, allowing six hits, one earned run and three walks, while striking out four in 6.2 innings.

Nguyen led Army (9-8) with two hits, going 2-for-4 at the plate. Ortenzo and Payleitner had the only RBI.

Morgan Lashley started the game for Army and earned the win. She pitched the first two innings before being replaced by Jules Steurer, then relieving Steurer in the top of the seventh, pitching 2.1 innings in all. Lashley did not allow a hit, while striking out one. Steurer gave up four hits and one earned run while striking out two in 4.2 innings.

Against St. Peter's, the Peahens got two runs in the top of the second, which was all the scoring T. Feorenzo needed. Feorenzo tossed a complete-game shutout, giving up just four hits, but walked five and struck out one.

M. Granchelli had half of the team's four hits, going 2-for-2 at the plate. Maddock and Victoria Granchelli each had one hit.

Keely Shuler was the tough loser in the game, also throwing a complete game. She gave up seven hits, two earned runs and one walk while striking out three.

HBU (7-14) will look to regroup when it faces Columbia at 10 am and Fairleigh Dickinson at 12 pm on Mar. 16.