KISSIMMEE, Fla.: The UW-Superior softball team opened its spring break trip by falling 10-1 to Fredonia and 8-3 to Delaware Valley at the Osceola County Softball Complex Thursday.
The Yellowjackets were down early in both games as Fredonia scored nine runs in the first two innings and cruised to victory, and Delaware Valley put up five in the first inning of the second game.
Superior scored twice in the top of the third against the Aggies, cutting it to a three-run deficit when
Davriana Horvath (Esko, Minn./Esko) came through with a two-out double to left field, scoring Briana McGrath and
Gabby Gidley (Superior, Wis./Superior).
Jamie Stefani began the DelVal fourth inning with a double to right-center field. She came around to score two batters later on an RBI single by Caitlin Stoner as the Aggies extended their lead to 6-2.
After a Stefani two-run home run to center in the sixth made it 8-1, the 'Jackets threatened in their final at-bat.
Gidley led off the inning reaching on an error by the right fielder.
Bailey Armstrong (Scandia, Minn/Forest Lake) followed with a single to left. With one out, Horvath walked to load the bases.
Amanda Kishish (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis) then came up with a base hit to left, scoring Gidley and it seemed as if UWS had something brewing.
Stefani, who pitched a complete game with 10 strikeouts, was able to retire the final two 'Jackets for the win.
Minnesota Duluth transfer
Ashley Taipale (Duluth, Minn./Denfield) threw a complete game of her own, allowing seven earned runs and 10 hits, while striking out six.
Tiffany Kirk (McHenry, Ill./McHenry East) went 3-for-4 to lead Superior at the plate against DelVal. Horvath and Kishish as picked up a pair of hits in the game.
The first game of the day got away from the 'Jackets early as they committed four errors in the first two innings. The Blue Devils scored their runs on just six hits.
Down, 10-0, in the fourth, Superior got on the scoreboard. Taipale singled to center to start the inning, and Horvath followed with a double to left.
Bailey Kinnunen (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids) cashed in on the 'Jackets third hit of the frame, scoring Taipale with a single to left.
Then, with runners on first and third with no one out, Miller lined into a double play to first to quell the momentum.
Amber Yoch (North Branch, Minn./North Branch Area) popped up to end the inning.
Damara Theis (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) (0-2) absorbed the loss in the circle, going the first 1.1 innings, before giving way to Kishish. Theis surrendered just four earned runs and five hits. Kishish was strong in relief, going 3.2 innings giving up just one hit and one run.
Delana Thomas (1-0) earned the win in the circle for Fredonia, throwing the final three innings.
The 'Jackets (2-4) are back at it Friday against Stevenson and Rutgers-Camden at 2:45 and 5:15 p.m. CT, respectively, in Clermont, Fla.
