NEVADA, Mo. — Sterling dropped two games to Cottey College on Saturday, Feb. 28. The Lady Warriors kept it competitive in game one, coming up just short, 7-5, but game two got away from Sterling as they lost 14-4.
Game 1
Despite the 7-5 loss, Sterling’s lineup collected 11 hits, including a home run, but was unable to overcome Cottey’s 15-hit attack.
Mariah Cunningham began the game for Sterling with a triple, followed by Mallory Seidel‘s single to drive in M. Cunningham. Cottey responded with a two-run homer by Amelia Gassman, bringing the score to 2-1 in favor of the Comets at the end of the first inning.
Mya’ Dunn evened the score with a solo home run in the second inning. However, Cottey regained the lead after Makayla Snyder scored on a walk. By the end of the second inning, the Comets led 3-2.
In the third inning, Sterling was unable to score, while Cottey extended its lead with a three-run homer from Snyder. At the end of the third inning, the score was 6-2 in favor of the Comets.
Sterling added another run in the fourth inning, with Dunn scoring on a double by Olivia Wright. The Comets did not score in the bottom of the inning, keeping the score at 6-3.
The fifth inning saw Cottey increase its lead to 7-3 with a sacrifice fly by Alehsandra Martinez.
Sterling cut into the lead in the sixth inning, as Ashley Johnson singled to bring home Bailey Martinez. The Comets remained scoreless in their half, with the score at 7-4.
In the final inning, Sterling’s Seidel scored after a single by Martinez, but the rally fell short. The final score was Cottey 7, Sterling 5.
Macaela Ambriz pitched for 3 innings, allowing 10 hits and six earned runs with one walk and one strikeout. Despite facing 21 batters, Ambriz gave up four doubles and two home runs. Victoria Perez relieved M. Ambriz, pitching 3 innings and surrendering five hits and one earned run, while striking out one batter.
Mallory Seidel led the offense by recording three hits and one RBI. Mya’ Dunn contributed with a home run, driving in one run and scoring twice. Olivia Wright tallied an RBI with a double and added a stolen base. Bailey Martinez finished with two hits, one RBI, and scored once.
Game 2
Sterling lost to Cottey with a final score of 14-4 on Saturday. Sterling recorded two home runs in the game but was overwhelmed by Cottey’s 11-run third inning.
The Lady Warriors took an early lead in the first inning with Cheyenne Cunningham reaching base on a single, followed by a two-run home run by Maria Casillas, bringing in C. Cunningham. However, Cottey responded with a three-run homer from Halen Hoelzeman, scoring three runs. The score was 3-2 in favor of the Comets after the first inning.
The third inning saw significant action from Cottey, as it scored 11 runs, including a grand slam by Carissa Camaclang and multiple RBI singles, expanding its lead to 14-2.
In the fifth inning, Sterling attempted a comeback with C. Cunningham hitting a two-run homer, scoring M. Cunningham, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap. The score at the end of the fifth inning stood at 14-4 in favor of the Comets.
Olivia Wright struggled on the mound, allowing 12 earned runs on 12 hits, including two home runs, over 2 1/3 innings. Wright faced 21 batters and issued two walks, recording no strikeouts. Victoria Perez entered in relief, pitching 1 1/3 innings and giving up two earned runs on four hits with no walks or strikeouts. Perez threw 21 pitches, with 14 going for strikes, and allowed a double among the hits faced.
Cheyenne Cunningham recorded two hits, two runs, and two RBIs, including a home run. Maria Casillas also posted two hits and two RBIs, contributing a home run to the tally. Mariah Cunningham collected two hits and scored once, effectively setting the pace from the leadoff position.
Up next, the Lady Warriors (5-11) will take on Mid-America Nazarene University (7-5) at home on Wednesday, March 4 with game one starting at 2 p.m.
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.
