The University of Wisconsin Superior stumbled twice in a doubleheader against Manchester (Ind.) University in Fort Myers, Florida as the Spartans used the long-ball to knock off the Yellowjackets 4-2 and 8-1 in the first two of four meetings between the teams this week in Florida.
Errors cost UW-Superior (5-5) in game one, as the Yellowjackets took a 2-1 lead to the seventh inning before three mistakes on the infield helped Manchester (3-8-1) scrape across three runs in the inning, claiming a 4-2 victory that UWS could not overcome in the closing frame.
After the Spartans scored on an RBI single by infielder Kate Skeens in the top of the first, the Yellowjackets scored each of their runs in the bottom of the inning. A fielding error and a wild pitch to open the inning put a runner at third ahead of a single by junior infielder
Katie White (Pequot Lakes, Minn./Pequot Lakes H.S.). First-year infielder
Bailey Kinnunen (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids H.S.) singled home
Saige Patrick (Steinbach, Man./St. Mary's Academy), while White came home after a steal of third that resulted in a throwing error by Manchester's catcher.
Manchester 8, UW-Superior 1
Skeens continued to be a thorn in the side of the the Yellowjackets in game two, as she launched a pair of home runs including a fourth inning grand slam that proved very much the difference in the game. The Spartans scored in each of their final four innings of the day. After a walk from first-year right-handed pitcher
Megan Pehrson (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids H.S.) and a pinch-hit single from first-year infielder
Maggie Cragg (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park H.S.), junior outfielder
Saige Patrick (Steinbach, Man./St. Mary's Academy) singled Pehrson home in the top of the fifth, but UW-Superior would get no closer on the day.
Senior right-hander
Sarah Hendrickson (Duluth, Minn./Denfeld H.S.) (2-3) combined for 8.0 innings on the day, working each end of the double hitter while allowing just one earned run on eight hits and two walks, striking out two. Pehrson (3-2) allowed three earned on nine hits, striking out two in 5.0 innings during game two.
UP NEXT
The Yellowjackets will take on NAIA foe Ave Maria University in the Gyrenes' backyard Tuesday morning before taking on North Central (Ill.) College in game two at the North Collier Regional Park in Naples, Florida. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.