March 5, 2023
LEESBURG – The Cougars picked up their first series sweep of the season defeating Saint Rose and Kentucky Wesleyan. USF topped Saint Rose in extra innings, 6-3, and rounded out the day with a win over Kentucky Wesleyan, 3-2, with a walk-off base hit by Megan Lawson.
Sioux Falls moves to 7-8 on the season.
GAME ONE – SAINT ROSE
· Sioux Falls got on the board first when Riley Jones stole home on a first a third situation.
· The Cougars struck again when Lawson singled up the middle in the third to score Taryn Wagner from second. Lawson repeated her efforts in the fifth and scored Makenzie Weber from second.
· The Golden Knights found themselves back in the game in the sixth when they picked up three runs on three hits, but Sioux Falls quickly shut the door in extra innings.
· Wagner started the top of the eighth off at second base while advancing to third off a sacrifice bunt by Rylie Jones. Lawson found herself on first base after being intentionally walked followed by Kait Van Der Zwaag picking up a walk of her own. Kennedy Thomas brought in Wagner on a sacrifice fly to left field just before Lexi Swift brought in two RBIs for the Coo.
· Hanna Cress pitched another outstanding five innings while forcing five strikeouts. Van Der Zwaag came in on relief to finish the game with the win and three strike outs.
GAME TWO – KENTUCKY WESLEYAN
· The Cougars once again jumped out on top scoring two runs in the bottom of the first with Van Der Zwaag and Thomas crossing the plate first.
· Kentucky Wesleyan was able to score a run in the fourth and seventh, but it wasn't until the bottom of the seventh that the Cougars would seal the deal with a walk-off single by Lawson. Lawson went 4-for-7 on the day while picking up three RBIs.
· Van Der Zwaag started in the circle for Sioux Falls picking up four strikeouts. Thomas came in on relief to close out the game for the Cougars and picked up her third win of the season.
UP NEXT
The Cougars will be back in action tomorrow as they take on Saginaw Valley State and Ferris State in day four of The Spring Games.
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