The University of Sioux Falls softball team wrapped up its second day of spring break competition in dramatic fashion, banging out 17 hits in a 9-0 game one win, and scoring four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning in game two to earn a 4-2 walk-off win, sweeping the doubleheader from the New York Institute of Technology Bears on a beautiful afternoon at Hancock Park in Clermont, Fla.
The wins extend USF's (6-2) win streak to five straight, while NYIT falls to 2-9 overall.
The Cougar offense was on point in the first game, smacking 17 hits and nine runs over seven innings, including multiple hit efforts from six of the nine starters in the lineup.
The game was scoreless until the Cougars broke the game open with a grand slam to left center by Kellen Dewey in the top of the third inning. Bailey Bouman got things started with a one-out line drive single. Priscilla Quintana then drew a five-pitch walk and Jenna Turner tapped a ground ball single to fill the bases with Cougars for Dewey, who hammered the first offering by NYIT starter Natasha Milosevich over the fence to give the Cougars a 4-0 lead.
USF added two more in the fifth on RBI hits from Shelby Stewart and Shae Reinke and tacked on another run in the sixth when a fielder's choice by Noelle Roden scored Quintana. The Cougars used aggressive base-running in their half of the seventh to plate their final two runs. On a 2-2 count, Katie Larson drew a two-out hit by pitch and scampered to third when Bouman knocked a double into the gap in right center field. Larson stole home on the next pitch and Bouman followed suit when Quintana punched a base knock to center field to cap off the scoring.
Cougar sophomore Amanda Walters (4-0) had an outstanding day in the circle, scattering four hits over seven innings with two walks and three strikeouts to notch her fourth complete game victory of the season. Bouman finished the game 4-for-5 with two runs scored and Dewey was 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs. Quintana was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs while Jenna Turner, Noelle Roden and Shae Reinke each posted two hits.
In game two, NYIT's Natasha Milosevich held the Cougar bats in check and the Bears held a 2-0 advantage thru six innings.
But then came the seventh inning.
Dewey opened the frame with a double to right field and Walters blasted a homer to dead center field, scoring two and giving the Cougars life. Elliott Lenz then roped a single to center field on a 2-2 count and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Stewart. After a fly out by Reinke, the Cougars were down to their final out. Larson then came to the plate and after taking a first pitch called strike tattooed a ball to dead left field that just kept carrying, clearing the fence and giving the Cougars a 4-2 walk-off victory.
Bailey Bouman (2-1) tossed a three-hit gem for her second victory of the season, allowing two earned runs with one walk and three strikeouts.
The Cougars out-hit the Bears 7-3 in game two. Larson was 2-for-4 with two RBI on the game-winning homer in the seventh. Walters was 1-for-3 with two RBI and scored a run. Dewey, Lenz and Reinke also tallied hits in the win.
USF will continue its 10-game spring break trip with a twinbill versus Franklin Pierce on Thursday.
