WICHITA, Kan. — Sterling College dropped two games to tough opponents on Saturday, March 7 at the Friends University Tournament. The Lady Warriors started the day with a game against Benedictine College, losing 5-8 followed by a 12-0 loss to Midland University in game two.
Game 1
Sterling opened strong with three runs in the first inning but was unable to maintain the lead, despite recording 11 hits in the game.
The Lady Warriors started strong in the first inning with Mallory Seidel, Mariah Cunningham and Cheyenne Cunningham each reaching base safely. Alessandra Ambriz‘s single brought in two runs, and Bailey Martinez added another with a ground out, giving Sterling a 3-0 lead. Benedictine College responded in their half with three runs of their own, tying the game 3-3 after the first inning.
The game remained tight through the next innings. In the third, the Ravens managed to take the lead with two runs, bringing the score to 5-3 in their favor. Another run in the fourth increased their lead to 6-3.
Sterling narrowed the gap in the fifth inning. C. Cunningham reached on an error, and A. Ambriz singled. Martinez then hit a double to drive in two runs, making it 6-5. However, the Ravens added two more runs in the sixth inning to extend their lead to 8-5.
Sterling was unable to score in the final inning, and the game concluded with the Ravens securing an 8-5 victory.
Macaela Ambriz pitched 5 innings, allowing six earned runs on seven hits, while striking out three and walking two. She faced 25 batters and threw 106 pitches, with 63 of those being strikes. Victoria Perez entered in relief, pitching 1 inning and allowing two earned runs on three hits, including a home run, while walking one and throwing 17 pitches.
Mallory Seidel recorded three hits and scored a run while playing first base. Cheyenne Cunningham added one hit and crossed the plate twice. Bailey Martinez delivered with two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs. Alessandra Ambriz contributed with two hits and an RBI, scoring once as well.
Game 2
Sterling lost to Midland 12-0 in game two, managing five hits but failing to score. Midland capitalized on The Lady Warrior’s four errors and drew six walks, contributing to its decisive victory.
Midland took an early lead in the first inning, scoring four runs. Isabelle Pagan singled to drive in Grace Behrns, and Jayci Reimers and MaKenna Watkins added runs with a double and a triple, respectively. Watkins later scored on a wild pitch, putting Midland up 4-0 at the end of the first inning.
In the third inning, Midland increased its lead with two more runs. Watkins doubled, bringing Pagan home, and Reimers scored on a single by Sydney Atkins. The inning ended with Midland leading 6-0.
The fourth inning saw Midland capitalize on errors, scoring five runs. Sophie De Rouin and Behrns advanced and scored on errors, and Jaidan Wehrle hit a two-run homer. Charlee Wegner, a pinch runner, scored on a wild pitch. At the end of the fourth, the score was 11-0 in Midland’s favor.
Midland added one more run in the fifth inning. Paxton Mitties, a pinch runner, scored on an error, bringing the final tally to 12-0.
Sterling was unable to score throughout the game, with the final score standing at Midland University 12, Sterling 0.
Olivia Wright pitched 3 innings, allowing nine earned runs on nine hits, including one home run and one triple, while striking out one and walking four. Wright faced 21 batters, throwing 63 pitches with 31 strikes. Victoria Perez relieved Wright, pitching 2 innings and giving up two earned runs on one hit. Perez struck out one and walked two, throwing 29 pitches with 14 strikes.
Cheyenne Cunningham posted a double in her three at-bats. Alessandra Ambriz collected two hits in two at-bats. Mya’ Dunn contributed with a hit in her two at-bats.
Up next, Sterling (5-15) will start up conference play against Kansas Wesleyan University (5-8) on Tueday, March 10 in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. in Sterling, Kan.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
