SOFTBALL: Scots and The Flying Dutch tied on top of the MIAA Standings
Alma, Mi.- The Scots faced off with Hope College today in a double header that could very well have decided who would win the regular season MIAA championship. However, by the end of the day, things ended as they had started; Alma and Hope tied on top of the standings waiting to see how the next week plays out.
The first game of the double header belonged to Hope as their pitcher held the Scots hitless through the first five innings of the game. When Alma came to bat in the bottom of the sixth, they were losing 3-0 and had absolutely no success offensively so far. Not willing to lay down, the Scots rallied scoring two runs behind singles from freshman Kasey Miller (Grand Ledge), junior Amy Gaudard (Mt. Pleasant), and a double off the bat of freshman Houston Verbeck (Flint/Kearsley).
Alma senior pitcher Kay McDonald (Rosebush/Mt. Pleasant) did her part, shutting down The Dutch in the top of the seventh, keeping the Scots chance alive.
In the end, it was just Hope's game as the Scots failed to produce a run in their half of the inning giving the Flying Dutch the 3-2 win.
McDonald gave up nine hits and three earned runs while striking out eight in the seven inning loss.
The second game belonged to Alma pitching and defense. Sophomore Katie Koechling (Wheaton, Ill/Wheaton North) patrolled the mound and pitched six three hit innings in dominating form. Koechling got just enough run support from the Scots struggling offense to get the 2-1 win.
Alma opened the game with a first inning run when junior Missy Morcom (Chelsea) reached on a double and scored on a single off the bat of Gaudard. The Scots second run came in the top of the sixth as Kasey Miller singled, stole second, and was hit home by Amy Gaudard's double down the left field line.
Hope tried to rally in the seventh but were stymied as Coach Dennis Griffin brought first game winner, Kay McDonald, into the game who ended the game four batters later, earning the save.
After today's double header, the Scots sit at 12-2 in the conference while Hope is 10-2. Alma finishes out regular season MIAA play with a double header at Calvin on Saturday (1 p.m.). Hope must travell to St. Mary's and host dangerous Tri-State for their final four games in the conference.
Posted: Wed, April 25th, 2007 at 7:58PM
