Softball | 4/7/2013 4:09:00 PM
Box Score
TURLOCK, Calif. – After falling behind 5-0, the Western Oregon softball team scored the final nine runs of the contest as the Wolves closed out the Tournament of Champions with a 9-5 victory over Chico State on Sunday. With the win, WOU improves to 20-21 on the season.
WOU found itself in an early hole as Chico State followed a two-run first inning with three runs in the second to grab an early 5-0 lead. Kelli Keefe and Desiree' Gonzalez each had two-run doubles as it looked as if Chico State would be in control throughout.
The Wolves responded with the next nine runs of the contest; however, with
Elaine Sperry starting the rally with a two-run homer down the left field line in the bottom of the second to cut the lead to 5-2.
After a
Melanie Pfeiffer opened the third inning with a triple and then scored on a wild pitch, WOU would tie the score with a pair of runs in the fifth inning.
Ashlie Gardner delivered the key hit as her single to right with two outs scored
Amanda Evola as the right fielder misplayed the ball, allowing
Jourdan Williams to score and tie the game.
WOU would then put the game away with four in the sixth, all with two outs, as the Wolves would claim the dramatic win. Williams put the Wolves on top for the first time in the contest as her single scored Pfeiffer gave the Wolves a 6-5 lead.
Bridjet Box then put the finishing touches on the comeback as she blasted a three-run home run to left field, her third of the season, to give the Wolves a 9-5 lead.
Eryka Brill was brilliant in relief as she shut down Chico State in the seventh to earn the win and move to 2-1 on the season after allowing only three hits in 5.1 innings of work.
Cheyenne Sandoval took the loss for Chico State after allowing six runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings of work.
Pfeiffer led the Wolves attack with three hits while Evola added two hits and two runs for the Wolves.
WOU closed out the tournament with a 2-4 record in six games as the Wolves will return to conference action when they travel to Lacey, Wash., to face Saint Martin's in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 11, at 2:00 p.m.
