TUCSON, Ariz. (PCSaints.com) – The PC softball team opened the Tucson Invitational Games (TIG) with a pair of losses to Siena Heights University and Bethel College earlier today. The Saints dropped the first contest to SHU 11-3 and followed with a 12-4 loss to Bethel in the second game of the day. With the day one sweep, the Saints fall to 1-9 on the year.
Game One: Presentation College 3, Siena Heights University 11
The Saints started hot but fizzled out over the final three innings for their first loss in Tucson. The Saints got things rolling as they took a one-run lead after the first inning. Bibiana Villeda (SO/Lake Elsinore, CA) started things off with a walk and ended up scoring after an error by SHU’s Sam Hill’s error.
The Saints started the game well as they combined for three runs in the first two innings for the early lead. Bibiana Villeda reached on a walk and reached home after a SHU third base error for the early 1-0 lead. PC jumped out to a three-run lead after Villeda doubled double the left-field line to bring home Celia Cerezo (JR/Chino Hills, CA) and Cortni Mendoza(SR/Brawley, CA) – who reached base on a hit by pitch and a single up the middle.
Siena Heights evened things up three in the top of the third inning after Racquel Ward drove in two and a Sam Hill single to shortstop to bring home Lily Guerra.
The Saints struggled to maintain the heavy hitting from SHU as the SHU Saints knocked in eight unanswered runs in the final three innings for the comeback win.
PC scattered eight hits in the game coming from Villeda, Krystle Schweers (SR/Perryville, MD), Sierra Kilmer (FR/Vancouver, WA) and Mendoza. Villeda led the team going 3-for-3 with 2RBI and a run scored.
Villeda took the loss as she surrendered 11 runs on 14 hits over seven innings, while striking out three and walking one.
Game Two: Presentation College 4, Bethel College 12
The Pilots took the early lead as they poured in three runs in the top of the third inning. PC cut the Pilot lead down to two after Darrian Gibson (JR/Box Elder, SD) scored off the bat of Cortni Mendoza. The Pilots answered back with eight runs over the next two innings for the commanding 11-1 lead.
Offensively, PC got things rolling in the bottom of the fifth with three runs. Jadwyn Parrish(SO/Oregon City, OR) got things started with a single up the middle and advanced to second after a Morgan Banford (SO/Watertown, SD) walk. On the next at-bat, Parrish and Banford advanced to third, while Bibiana Villeda drew a walk to load the bases. Senior Krystle Schweers pounded one deep down the left-field line to send in Parrish, Banford and Villeda and cut the lead down to seven. However, the Pilots added another run in the top of the sixth inning and held the Saints scoreless for the eight-run lead to apply the eight-run mercy rule win.
The Saints tallied three hits coming from Krystle Schweers, Jadwyn Parrish and Morgan Banford in the loss. Starting pitcher Darrian Gibson suffered the loss as she let up 12 runs off ten hits in six innings on the mound.
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Tucson, Arizona (PCSaints.com) – The Lady Saints drop both games on day two of the Tucson Invitational Games (TIG). Dropping the first game of the afternoon to Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 0-5 and the second game 2-3 to Benedictine (Kan.). The Lady Saints now fall to 1-11 on the year and 0-4 on neutral fields.
Game one: Presentation College 0 – Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 5
The Saints began this game very well on the defensive side of things. After letting up a leadoff single to shallow right field, Skye Carter (FR/Sacramento, CA) is able to throw out a stealing Bailey Critchlow to clear the bases. In the bottom of the first the Saints were able to take care of business stranding three Embry-Riddle runners on base. In the top of the second the Saints were able to get a little bit of momentum built after Cherie Malacas(JR/Lanai City, HI) reached base on an error by the shortstop, followed by a Celia Cerezo(JR/Chino Hills, CA) single through the hole at second base. The Saints lost all momentum that. The Saints played quality softball behind starting pitcher Darrian Gibson (JR/Box Elder, SD). Only allowing five run seven hits and having one error in Game 1. Darrian Gibson took the loss in Game 1 of today having 1 strike out, 6 ground outs and 3 fly outs.
Game Two: Presentation College 2 – Benedictine (Kan.) 3
The Lady Saints fell behind early in this game starting in the bottom of the second inning. The Saints let up a few well-placed hits to fall behind 0-1. The Saints kept calm and continued to do the small things correct. Top of the third inning comes up and the Saints get to work right away with a Darrian Gibson single through the hole at shortstop. Madison Brink (SO/Pierre, SD) does her job well and places an amazing bunt down the third baseline to advance Gibson to second base. Bibiana Villeda (SO/Lake Elsinore, CA) then singles to shallow left. This places runners on the corners. Malacas singled up the middle with one out to bring Gibson home to tie the game at one’s and once again having runners on the corners. Coach Mari Jordan calls for a Malacas steal and with a throw down to second trying to get the running Malacas; Villeda Trots in to put the Saints a top 2-1. We would then see another inning and a half of very tough defensive plays from both teams. Bottom of the fifth inning things began to go crazy for the Saints as they had two very costly errors that would eventually allow runs to come across. The Saints would be unable to find any momentum after that and would falls one-two-three in the top of the sixth and top of the seventh. Bibiana Villeda would have one strike out in her outing.
Looking Ahead:
The Lady Saints have an off day on Monday but will be back in action on Tuesday. The Saints will face Indiana Wesleyan on Tuesday March 5th at 1:30 (MT) on field 5 on the Tucson Invitational Games.