Walk-Off in Game #1 Propels Sweep of Harford

Walk-Off in Game #1 Propels Sweep of Harford

Cecil College softball completed a two-game sweep of Harford Community College after a walk-off in game #1 that proved momentuous in game #2. The Seahawks improved to 13-5 overall and 8-2 in MD JUCO play. These two wins helped Cecil College to occupy the third spot in the conference standings out of eleven softball programs.

The Fighting Owls took a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning, scoring their first two runs off an RBI-single and a sacrifice fly to center field. Harford then scored an additional, unearned, run off a wild pitch from freshman pitcher Emily Phillips. This would be the last run the Seahawks' defense would give up through the remainder of game #1.

Rebekah Ahlstrom finally got the bats moving for Cecil's offense after singling to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. Rachel Durham added another hit for the Seahawks, followed by Olivia Martin reaching first on a walk to load the bases. The Seahawks tied the game with an RBI-single from Shannon Shivery and a two RBI-double from right fielder Aleshia Shires.

The Seahawks and Fighting Owls spent the next two innings scoreless, as the Seahawks' defense was able to retire the first three Harford batters in the top of the seventh. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, freshman third basemen Kelly Porte was walked to first and reached second after Rebekah Ahlstom's sacrifice bunt. Rachel Durham, the Seahawk's current hitting leader, stepped up to the plate and hit a walk-off RBI-double to end game #1 in regulation.

Emily Phillips picked up the win for Cecil College after picthing seven complete innings with four strikeouts and giving up three runs on five hits.

The Seahawks continued their hitting momentum in game #2 after defeating the Fighting Owls 12-8 for a second time that afternoon. Cecil College posted a team batting average of .514 including three doubles, a triple, two homeruns, and four Seahawk's with two or more RBI in game #2.

The Seahawks found themselves trailing the Fighting Owls 5-2 heading into their biggest offensive showing, in the bottom of the third inning. Rachel Durham hit her first career homerun over the left field fence to lead off the inning followed by doubles from Carly White and Olivia Martin. Aleshia Shires added a single, bringing in to runs and the Seahawks' would bring in an unearned run to close out the inning with an 8-5 lead.

Sophomore pitcher Shannon Shivery picked up the win for the Seahawks in game #2 after going seven complete innings with three strikeouts and giving up seven earned runs on ten hits.

Cecil College tacked on another four runs before the end of game #2 to complete their sweep of Harford Community College. The Seahawks return to action at home on Wednesday, April 18 to face the Skipjacks of Chesapeake College in a MD JUCO and NJCAA Region XX DII showdown. First pitch of the double-header is set for 3:00 p.m.