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| Wooster's Lauren Sargi tags out a Hiram baserunner at home to keep the score tied 1-1 in the fifth inning of game one. |
WOOSTER, Ohio – Jenn Horton pitched seven strong innings and hit a game-winning RBI single to lead The College of Wooster past North Coast Athletic Conference foe Hiram College 2-1 in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday evening. The Scots dropped the nightcap 7-3.
In game one, Hiram (14-9, 3-1 NCAC) scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning, when Kristen Cooney reached on an error, stole second, and eventually was driven in by Kelly Langland. Wooster (9-15, 1-3 NCAC) responded in the fourth inning, as Horton hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to score Lauren Swinehart and tie the game 1-1.
The Terriers appeared likely to tack on another run in the fifth inning, after a pair of Wooster errors allowed runners to advance to second and third with no outs. On the ensuing play, though, Caitlin Gaffney scooped up a hard-hit ball and gunned down a runner at home, with Lauren Sargi making the tag (pictured), and then Horton caused a strikeout and groundout to get out of the jam unharmed.
Finally, it was Horton who provided the heroics in the bottom of the sixth, as she singled to right center to drive in Kasie Fagan and give Wooster a 2-1 lead, and then allowed just a harmless single while pitching in the seventh to notch the victory.
Overall, Horton allowed just five hits and one walk in the circle, while driving in both Wooster runs at the plate.
In the second game, Hiram's Jessica Bolanz hit a two-run homer in the second inning, and Jena Ervin delivered a game-changing three-run home run in the seventh to lead the charge. Kelley Johnson, Gaffney, and Horton all drove in runs for Wooster in the setback.
On the day, Horton went 3-for-5, and Erica Villa and Swinehart were the others to hit safely in both games. Rachel Frank went 2-for-2 in the opener to push her team-leading batting average to .327.
Next up, Wooster visits Denison University (19-5,-0 NCAC) on Saturday at 1 p.m.