Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
Burnaby, BC - The Simon Fraser University softball team won the second game of their double header against the Concordia University Cavaliers on
Tuesday night at Beedie Field 4-1, after dropping the opener 5-4.
"These being non-conference games we certainly used it as an opportunity to play our bench," said Head Coach
Mike Renney. "We struggled at times but for the most part I was pleased that they got in and were battle tested. They made some mistakes but nerves will do that and it will help them down the road."
In game two,
Kelsie Hawkins (Victoria, BC) got the start and had another strong performance, going six innings and striking out seven while allowing just one run on five Cavalier hits.
"It was a really good opportunity for people who don't get many opportunities to play and I think our younger players performed well," said Hawkins. "I'm lucky to have great chemistry with our catchers and that's led to some success this year. Having Cara (Lukawesky) in the dugout is huge as well. She's a great pitcher and she's there helping me in between every inning."
Mackenzie Bender (St. Albert, AB) relieved Hawkins in the seventh and got her first collegiate save.
The Clan scored their four runs on three hits and took advantage of some CU errors in the first inning to score three runs and take a 3-1 lead, after CU scored in the top of the first on a lead off solo home run from Tobey Varney.
In the Clan half of the first,
Lauren Mew (Vancouver, BC) and
Trisha Bouchard (Montreal, QC) reached base on errors.
After Mew scored on a fielder's choice that saw
Danielle Raison (Langley, BC) reach, Bender doubled home Bouchard and Raison to put the Clan in front.
The Clan added one more in the second inning and then Hawkins, Bender and the Clan defence shut down the Cavaliers the rest of the way to earn the split for SFU.
"At one point in time we had all freshman and sophomores on the field including the pitcher, so that bodes well for the future. We certainly were playing a quality team that tested us. They were playing their starters so it was a good test for our younger players," finished Renney.
In game one
Cara Lukawesky (Coquitlam, BC) got the start and took the loss for SFU, allowing six runs, five of which were earned.
Concordia opened the scoring with a two run home run from Taylor Copher in the first inning and the Clan cut that lead in half in their half of the first with a solo shot from Bouchard.
Bouchard had another home run in the bottom of the fifth, at that time tying the game at three but the visitors scored two in the sixth to make it 5-3.
In the bottom of the sixth SFU added one more but could not close the deficit, taking the loss.
The Clan's record moves to 13-13 on the season and remains 8-3 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
SFU will hit the road this weekend, first traveling to Nampa, ID for a match up against the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders on
Thursday before visiting the Central Washington Wildcats on
Saturday in Ellensburg.
