HILLSBORO, Kan. — Sterling fell to Tabor in a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 7, losing the first game 9-1 in five innings before battling back in the second game coming up short in the ninth inning, 6-5.
Game 1
The Lady Warriors faced the Bluejays in a challenging matchup, ultimately resulting in a 9-1 defeat. The action began quietly in the first inning, with both teams going scoreless. In the second inning, Tabor capitalized on a sequence of hits and an error, scoring five runs, including a three-RBI double by Kayla Garber. The score was 5-0 Tabor after two innings.
The Bluejays added another run in the third inning, extending its lead to 6-0. Sterling managed to get on the board in the fourth inning when Alessandra Ambriz scored on a hit-by-pitch RBI by Mallory Seidel. However, the Bluejays responded with two more runs in their half, making it 8-1 in favor of Tabor after the fourth inning.
Tabor scored their final run in the fifth inning on a single by Brea Grimsley, concluding the game with a final score of 9-1 in their favor.
Maria Casillas pitched 4 innings for Sterling, allowing 10 hits and seven earned runs while striking out three batters. She faced 25 batters, issuing one walk and two hit-by-pitches. Victoria Perez entered in relief, pitching 1/3 inning, where she allowed one hit and one earned run while also hitting one batter.
Alessandra Ambriz contributed with one hit and scored a run while also recording an assist. Cheyenne Cunningham registered one hit at the plate and maintained a clean fielding record at shortstop. Mallory Seidel added an RBI with a hit-by-pitch during a bases-loaded situation, providing a crucial run for Sterling.
Game 2
Sterling narrowly fell to Tabor, 6-5 in extra innings in game two. Despite a strong offensive performance with 15 hits, the Lady Warriors were unable to overcome the Bluejays’ late scoring, including a crucial run in the ninth inning.
Olivia Wright started off the scoring for the Lady Warriors with an RBI single to the pitcher to bring home Mariah Cunningham for Sterling in the first inning, putting them ahead early.
In the second inning, Tabor managed to even the score. Rachaely Yaya scored on an error, making it 1-1 by the end of the second.
The third inning saw the Bluejays take the lead with two runs. Grimsley scored on Reagan Hammons’s single, followed by Reese Hefley scoring on a groundout, bringing the score to 3-1 in favor of Tabor.
Sterling added another run in the sixth inning. Taybor Rardin, who pinch ran for Seidel, scored on a bunt by Kylie Dunbar, but Tabor also scored, maintaining its lead at 4-2 after six innings.
The Lady Warriors fought back in the seventh with two runs. Ashley Johnson and Victoria Perez scored on an RBI by Wright and a single by Mya’ Dunn, tying the game at 4-4 after seven innings.
In the eighth inning, each team scored once. Bailey Martinez scored for Sterling after Ashley Johnson‘s RBI single, but Tabor responded with a run to keep the score tied at 5-5.
The Bluejays secured the victory in the ninth inning when Grimsley singled up the middle, bringing in Hailey Kobler for the winning run.
Macaela Ambriz pitched 8 1/3 innings for Sterling, delivering a complete game performance despite allowing 10 hits and six runs. Ambriz faced 37 batters and recorded 143 pitches, with 98 of them being strikes. She achieved three strikeouts and issued three walks, finishing with a WHIP of 1.60.
Mariah Cunningham collected three hits during the game, contributing to her team’s offensive efforts. Ashley Johnson also recorded three hits and added one RBI, highlighting her impact at the plate. Olivia Wright finished with two RBIs, demonstrating her ability to drive in runs.
Up next, the Lady Warriors (11-27, 6-12) will celebrate senior day as they take on Saint Mary (15-20, 8-10) in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 11. The first pitch will be thrown at 1 p.m. with seniors being recognized between games.
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.
