Demi Hart

WOOSTER, Ohio – Trailing 7-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, The College of Wooster softball team erupted for six runs on seven hits on its way to an 8-7 victory over Baldwin Wallace University in its home opener on a cold and rainy Thursday afternoon. The Fighting Scots and Yellow Jackets were scheduled to play a doubleheader, but the second game was cancelled due to wet conditions.

The Scots (8-9) found themselves facing a five-run deficit after the Yellow Jackets (5-10) crushed a three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning to take a seemingly comfortable 7-2 lead.

Wooster put everything together in the bottom half of the frame, though, as Demi Hart led off the inning with a double to deep left center field and Jenna Kendall followed her with a single that put runners on first and third.

Next up was a pinch hitter, Stephenie Little, and she delivered with an RBI double to right field that sparked a six-running inning. Others driving in runs during the rally were Skye Patterson with an RBI single, Paige Goldberg with a two-run single up the middle of the infield, and Carly Schoenstein with a single that plated Goldberg. Another run was scored by Patterson on a wild pitch.

Needing to protect its one-run lead in the seventh, Wooster's Rylee Bouillion, who pitched the last three innings of the game, went on to retire three consecutive batters (ground out, pop out, ground out) to close out the Scots' exciting win.

Also noteworthy, Julia Williams made her debut in the circle, as she pitched in relief during the third and fourth innings and came away unscathed, allowing just one hit.

Offensively, Hart led the way going 3-for-3, which included her second home run of the season, a solo shot to deep center. She also was intentionally walked during her second plate appearance of the sixth inning. Goldberg was 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBI, while Linea Brouse went 2-for-2 with an RBI double in the fifth inning.

The Scots will be back at it Saturday when they host North Coast Athletic Conference opponent Oberlin College (3-7) for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.