MYRTLE BEACH, SC

The UMPI Softball team made an unbelievable comeback in their Wednesday afternoon game against Mount Aloysius College. After surrendering 10 runs in the first inning, UMPI never gave up, clawing all the way back to take the lead in the 8^th, though they'd lose the game, they showed some serious grit. UMPI played two games Tuesday as well, seeing a comeback fall short in game one vs. SUNY Poly after giving up 13 runs in the first inning, before they ran out of gas in a run-rule loss in game two to St. Joseph's Long Island. We will cover the best game of the three in the fullest extent.

Game Three, How it Happened:

The Owls early innings continued to be the bugaboo as the Mounties dropped 10 runs in the bottom of the 1^st, to put the run-rule in effect after just one inning. The Owls responded with three runs in the second to chip into that lead. Both teams went for two runs in the third, keeping it a seven run lead at 12-5 Mounties. Then the Owls started to tip the scale entirely in their favor.

UMPI kept chipping away with two runs in the fourth with RBI from Megan Buchholz and Michaela Carney. In the fifth, they'd grab three more, making it a 12-10 game as Zoe Stewart and Gracelyn Walsh both had RBI triples along with another RBI single from Buchholz. After being blanked in the 6^th, the Owls needed two runs to extend the game as they continued to stifle the Mounties' offense. UMPI delivered in the clutch.

Sabrina Kauffman came through first with an RBI single, the Owls' 18^th hit of the contest. Then, with some great situational hitting, Madison Boynton made a very productive out, grounding out to third, but bringing in the tying run as the Owls completed the comeback from a ten-run first inning.

After yet another shutout inning, the Owls manufactured a run in extra innings as they started with a runner on second, per the international tiebreaker rules. A ground ball moved Hailey Saylor over to third, and then an error brought her, giving UMPI the lead, making it eight unanswered runs.

Unfortunately for UMPI, those runs would finally be answered, at the worst possible time. Mount Aloysius rallied, scoring for the first time since the third inning, with a single, and a double on the first two batters of the inning, bringing the winning run across as they celebrated a wild walk-off 14-13.

Top Performers:

With 20 hits in the game, there were many heroes for UMPI. Hailey Saylor had a career game, going 5 for 6 out of the leadoff spot. She had an RBI as well. Zoe Stewart went 4-6 with a double and a triple as well as two RBI, as she has gotten going again for UMPI out of the two-spot. Gracelyn Walsh went 3-6, also with a double and a triple, and an RBI. Megan Buchholz, and Sabrina Kauffman both enjoyed multi-hit games. Every starter for UMPI had at least one knock in the hit column.

Myrtle Beach Standouts:

With now three games in Myrtle, some standout performers are making their mark to help keep UMPI in games. Gracelyn Walsh leads the team in hits with nine, RBI with five, and total bases with 15. Keira Greene is hitting .400. Zoe Stewart is batting .350 with a home run, triple, and two doubles. In the circle, the Owls have struggled at times with ERA and free passes but have seen some stellar performances to keep UMPI in games. Madison Boynton went a complete game against SUNY Poly after giving up 13 in the first, she dug deep and went the distance. Similarly, Hailey Saylor did the same thing, going the distance after giving up ten in the first against Mount Aloysius. UMPI will try to put it all together and pick up some wins over their final four games in Myrtle Beach.

Up Next:

UMPI will get back to doubleheader action as they take on Centenary University tomorrow at 10am and Mt. Aloysius again at 1pm.