ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A pair of big-run innings doomed the Flagler College softball team Monday evening as the Saints fell 5-0 in the first and 10-1 in five innings to cap the twin bill against Auburn-Montgomery University at Flagler Field.
Due to the matchup with Southern Wesleyan being canceled this weekend, the doubleheader marks the last non-conference matchup for Flagler (5-6) before Peach Belt Conference play begins versus the University of North Georgia Saturday, March 13 at 1 p.m.
The Warhawks (9-0) posted a four-run second inning in the first game followed by a 10-run third in the final game to put a damper on the Saints first home game since Feb. 7. In the opening game,
Kyra Gipson (L, 4-2) had an up-and-down second frame, where she recorded a pair of strikeouts but walked two and hit another batter, while allowing four runs on three hits.
After that, the senior settled down as just one more run scored on four hits; however, the offense was only able to muster two hits and the same number of walks off AUM starter Alanna Goble (W, 4-0) through seven innings.
Bella Munoz and
Mackenzie Smith had hits, while
Morgan Murphy and
Alyssa Velez drew walks.
In the final game,
Mallorie Sykes (L, 0-1) recorded her first collegiate start and was cruising through two innings as she allowed a pair of her five hits. In the second inning, Flagler matched its game one hits with two, which loaded the bases after Munoz reached on an error to start, but the Saints weren't able to cash in.
It was the third inning when Flagler unraveled and allowed 10 runs on seven hits and three errors. Skyes exited the game after three hits and two errors plated two runs as
Madelyn Wise revealed the freshman. Wise and the Saints' defense wasn't able to settle the Warhawk threat as miscues allowed them to rally and tally eight more runs.
Flagler responded with two more hits in the bottom of the third and a run in the fifth inning — via Velez' RBI-single to score
Valerie Beltre after she reached on an error by reliever Brinkley Yevak — but it wasn't enough to extend the game. Along with two hits from Velez and Beltre, Munoz and
Paige Maseda had hits against Bailey Barnes (W, 3-0).
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