Waterford Twp, MI – The Skippers open up conference play on the road with a double header against Oakland Community College on Tuesday (March 19).
The Raiders jumped out to a quick lead in game 1 scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the first. The Skippers would answer with 1 of their own in the top of the third inning before surrendering 3 more in the bottom half. OCC would add 4 more the next inning would prove to be an insurmountable number. SC4 tried to mount a comeback in the seventh by scoring 3 runs but they fell short of the goal. OCC took game 1 by a score of 9-7.
The Skippers offensive attack was led by Natalie Sauer who knocked in 3 runs and scored one of her own with a 3 hit effort which included 2 doubles. Natalie Douglas also knocked in a couple runs and scored 1 herself. Brandi Bassett and MaKynna Saltzman both had an RBI while Alexis Perrin scored a run and Sarah Fantin, Carley Kalbfleisch, and Kaylie Rickert all added a run each.
MaKynna Saltzman started on the mount picking up her 2nd loss of the season. She went 3 innings and gave up 8 runs, although just 6 of them were earned, on 5 hits, 5 walks and tallied 1 strikeout. She also surrendered 1 home run. Kaylie Rickert relieved her and pitched the final 3 innings giving up 1 unearned run along with 3 hits, 1 walk, striking out 2 Oakland batters.
Despite the loss in game 1, game 2 was all Skippers. The first inning was scoreless but SC4 would score in every inning the rets of the game. They started with 4 in the second and 3 in the third allowing just one OCC run in the bottom of the third. The Skippers answered with 6 more in the fourth and added 2 in the fifth for insurance. The Raiders tried to mount a comeback in the fifth to avoid getting run ruled and they scored 4 but it wasn't enough. SC4 took the 2d game of the double header 15-5 in 5 innings.
Both of the Natalie's showed but again. Natalie Sauer hit a home run, going 4 for 4 like Wendy's and knocking in 2 and scoring 2 of her own. Natalie Douglas also added homer as she went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and 3 runs. Alexis Perrin also showed up for game 2 securing 3 hits, 3 RBIs and scoring 1 run. A bundle of other Skippers had at least one RBI including Sarah Fantin (2), Isabella Pesina (2), Avery Pegg (2), and Carley Kalbfleisch. Every Skipper that had an at bat either scored a run or had an RBI.
In the circle Brandi Bassett got the start going all 5 innings and picking up her 2nd win of the season. She allowed 4 earned runs, 5 hits, 3 walks, and struck out 2. She also gave up a homerun.
This split improved the Skippers record to 6-10 overall and gets them off to a 1-1 start in MCCAA Eastern Conference pay.
Up next for SC4 is a road double header at Henry Ford College. The game is on Friday (march 22) with the first pitch of game 1 scheduled for 3:00 PM.
