Softball Splits Doubleheader with Shelton State

MARION, AL –Only fitting on the day we honor our sophomores for all their hard work and dedication, were they all able to contribute to a big win on their final home game at Marion Military Institute.  Sophomore Kalynn Allen, the catalyst of a doubleheader sweep by MMI Monday, was at it again Wednesday as her grand slam home run and clutch pitching helped the Lady Tigers upend one of the conference leaders with a 5-4 victory over Shelton State.

The second game comeback offset an opening game 5-0 loss to one of the top two teams in the North Division.

"One thing about our team is they never quit," head coach Kristi Basso said after the twinbill split.  "We have bounced back after losing the first game to beat two of the top teams in our division in the second game in the last week.  We are playing like I thought we could all season."

Allen, who pitched a shutout and went 4-for-4 also scoring the winning run Monday, blasted a bases loaded homer in the second and worked out of a seventh inning jam to preserve the victory for the Lady Tigers in the nightcap.

After being held scoreless in the first game, MMI struck quickly in the second game. Ashley Soos walked to lead off for the Lady Tigers and eventually scored after Ashley Strength's single.

In the second Annelise Borg singled, Soos walked and Emily Tarango singled to load the bases.  Allen then followed with her homer for a 5-0 lead.

Shelton State put up a three-spot in the fifth and threatened seriously in the seventh. SSCC pushed across a run before the first out was recorded and had the tying and go ahead runs in scoring position only to have Allen induce a line out and a fly out to preserve the victory.

Strength and Gauspohl each had two hits for MMI in the victory.

In the opener, Shelton State broke open a scoreless deadlock with two runs in the fourth then padded its margin with one in the sixth and another pair in the seventh. Winning hurler Meagan Young held the Lady Tigers hitless until the seventh when Rachel Gauspohl and Taylor Minor singled, only to have a double play end the attempted comeback.