April 14, 2015

Grove City earns split at Waynesburg

GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Sophomore pitcher Erika Aughton (Moon Township, Pa./Moon) threw a one-hitter to lead the Grove City College softball team to a 2-1 game one victory before the Wolverines fell 4-2 in game two to earn a split in Presidents' Athletic Conference action at Waynesburg on Tuesday afternoon.

Freshman first baseman Breanna Lent (Pittsburgh, Pa./Hampton) led the Wolverines (11-7, 3-4 PAC) offensively by going 4 for 5 on the day, including a 3 for 3 showing in the game two loss. Senior shortstop Kelsey Shirey (Macedonia, Ohio/Nordonia) was 3 for 6 with two doubles and a pair of walks while junior left fielder Megan Lynskey (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) also added three hits.

In the opener, Grove City jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when senior second baseman Allison Rayburn (New Kensington, Pa./Valley) led off the inning with a single and later scored on a Shirey double to right field. Waynesburg (9-19, 3-9) would answer in the bottom of the second as Aughton allowed her lone hit of the day - a solo home run to right field by Haley Payne.

The score would remain tied at 1-1 until the top of the fifth inning when Shirey, senior catcher Sarah Morris (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton) and Lynskey hit consecutive singles into the outfield. Shirey would score on Lynskey's hit to give the Wolverines a 2-1 lead, and that would be enough, as a walk was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect final three frames for Aughton.

Aughton pitched a complete game, striking out three and walking two in the win.

In the nightcap, the Jackets jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first and took advantage of a Wolverine error in the second to extend their lead to 4-0. Grove City finally got on the board in the top of the fourth, as Shirey doubled to lead off the inning and later came home to score on a Lent bunt single to bring the Wolverines within 4-1.

The Wolverines would threaten in the sixth with a pair of one out hits from Morris and Lent, but the Jackets were able to get two quick outs to get out of the jam.

Grove City would give itself a chance by keeping Waynesburg off the board in the top of the seventh, and senior right fielder Erica Gmuer (Gibsonia, Pa./Hampton) took advantage of a Jacket error by stealing both second and third bases. A sacrifice fly by senior center fielder Caitlyn Vidovic (North Ridgeville, Ohio/Lutheran West) would score Gmuer to close the gap to 4-2, and Aughton would follow with a two-out single. Shirey drew a walk to bring the winning run to the plate, but Waynesburg's Jess Dorazio snagged Morris's line drive to end the game.

Aughton also threw a complete game in game two, allowing eight hits and four runs (three earned) over six innings while striking out three.

Grove City travels to Saint Vincent tomorrow for a 3:30 p.m. conference doubleheader.

Game 1 Box Score   Game 2 Box Score

Go back to Wolverine Softball Home Page