March 6, 2016

Delta Splits on Day Two of Spring Trip

Root leads the offense

Box Score Box Score

Orlando, FL – Delta College played a tough Owens Community College softball team on Sunday to the brink before losing a close, 4-2 game.  The loss left the Pioneers still looking for their first win of the season – which they got as they defeated Mercyhurst Northeast 5-4 in the nightcap.

In the first game of the day, early errors led to three Owens runs in the first three innings as starting pitcher Shelby Bailey was able to keep the Express bats at bay.  With the score 4-0 heading in to the bottom of the seventh, however, Delta gave itself a shot at winning plating two runs with runners in scoring position before the final out was made.
 
Cassidy Reichard went three-for-four with an RBI to lead the offense while Taylor Wozniak, Bailey and Blake Garner each collected a hit.  Bailey took the loss on the rubber for DC, surrendering just one earned run while giving up six hits and striking out two. 
 

"We had a few costly errors in key situations," said first year coach Randy Mullard.  "Combine that with not getting on track offensively and we simply didn't put any pressure on them."

The Pioneers fell behind early once again in the nightcap as Mercyhurst scored two runs in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead.  But the Delta offense responded, plating two runs in the third and three in the fourth for a 5-2 lead that they wouldn't relinquish in securing their first win of the season, 5-3.
 

Mickaylee Root led the offense, exploding for three hits in three at bats and collecting two RBI's. 

"Mickaylee Root emerged as a spark plug," said Mullard.
 

Wozniak kept her hot hitting intact, picking up two RBI's for Delta while Reichard and Garner collected singles as well and Alysaa Westphal went two-for-four.

Jensen Tchorzynski picked up the win on the mound to even her record at 1-1 on the year.  She allowed just one earned run while striking out six and walking three. 
 

"This was a huge win for us," said Mullard.  "We made a few mistakes, but we overcame them quickly."

Delta has an off day tomorrow before playing Owens in a double-header on Tuesday.  The Pioneers are now 1-3 on the season.