Lady Tigers Take Two from Judson in Fall Opener

The MMI Lady Tigers defeated the Judson College Lady Eagles twice Saturday afternoon in the fall opener.  In game one of Saturday's doubleheader, Marion was led by Freshman infielder Angel Harrison and sophomore outfielder, Emily Tarango.  Both finished hitting 2-for-3 from the plate.

Angel led off the bottom of the second inning with a single. Annelise Borg sacrificed her to second.  Angelina Cardenas entered the game as a pinch hitter and hit a single to center field to score Harrison for the first run of the game.  Marion's offense tallied two more runs in the  third when Tarango singled and Alisea Balderaz walked to get themselves into scoring position for Angel Harrison.  Angel hit a screamer to the third baseman that scored her teammates. The final run came in the fifth inning after Kathryn Clark was walked.  Bailey Connor and Ashley Holt moved Clark to third. Clark eventually scored on a passed ball. MMI's defense held strong throughout the seven inning game, giving up only one error.  Sophomore Caitlin Cooper pitched all seven innings scattering eight (8) hits with one (1) earned run.  She struck out one while hitting one batter.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the offense once again took center stage as the Lady Tigers finished with 13 hits in just five innings of play.  Marion's hitters also drew eight (8) walks and were hit twice by Judson's pitchers. Angel Harrison went 4-for-4 with three (3) doubles and three (3) RBI.  Angelina Cardenas went 4-for-4 with two (2) singles.  Sharayah Simco finished 2-for-4 with four (4) RBIs. Taylor Anderson had a pinch hit triple and two (2) RBIs.

Marion broke open a closely contested game with a big second inning.  Taylor Saucier led off with a single, Kaitlyn Green was hit by a pitch, and Sharayah Simco singled to deep left field to score Saucier.  Taylor Anderson hit her pinch hit triple into right field to score both Green and Simco. With still one out, Alisea Balderaz had a pinch hit single to score Anderson.  The rest of the inning consisted of walks and hit by pitches as Judson's pitchers struggled to find the strike zone. 

Freshman Lindsey Savoie looked strong in her collegiate debut, pitching all five (5) innings scattering four (4) hits with just two (2) earned runs.  She struck out seven (7) and hit one batter in the win.

The Lady Tigers will travel to Hinds Community College on September 20th to face both Hinds and Holmes CC.