WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Patriots traveled south to play against host school Trinity Washington University. Committing a high amount of errors, the Lady Patriots quickly fell behind in game one, losing 3-9, and were unable to split the match, losing the second game in the final inning, 5-7.
The women struggled against the pitching strength of the Tigers, earning just one run apiece in the second, third and fourth inning. The Tigers' built a solid cushion, using the Lady Patriots' errors to their advantage to earn five runs by the end of the second inning. At the bottom of the third, pitcher
Rachel Daniels was able to hold back the bleeding, keeping the Tigers scoreless, but started to slip as the home team grabbed two more runs in the fourth and sixth inning.
As the second game started, it appeared that the team would repeat their errors from game one, allowing the Tigers' to earn five runs by the end of the first inning. With both teams going scoreless in the second inning, the Lady Patriots started to put up a fight. Putting pressure on the Tigers' defense, the women took advantage of the fielder's errors to get into scoring position and round the bases. By the end of the inning the women were just one run short of tying the game, 4-5.
Rachel Daniels held strong on the mount in the fourth, striking out three of the four batters to put the inning to rest without giving up a run. As the top of the fourth came around,
Samantha Reed got on base with a single to right field. Playing aggressive in the baselines, Reed made her way from first to home, stealing second and third and advancing to home on an error by the catcher. The game was now tied, 5-5, but it would be the last run for the Patriots. The Tigers earned two more runs in the bottom of the sixth and were able to keep the visitors down in the final two innings to grab game two, 7-5.
Sarah Brugere posted a combined three runs, including a home run, four stolen bases, and two RBIs.
Samantha Reed went 4-for-7 with two stolen bases, 2RBI's and six putouts.
The Lady Patriots return home for their next game, hosting Penn State Hazelton in a doubleheader match-up. Game one is set to start at 3pm!
Go Patriots!
