NAPLES, Fla. – The UW-Superior softball team continued its strong play Thursday at North Collier Regional Park, securing a pair of wins with a 4-1 victory over SUNY Potsdam before defeating Alfred State by the same score.
The Yellowjackets, now 12-4 overall, saw dominant pitching performances from
Bella Garley (Albuquerque, N.M./Porter (Tex.)) and
Samantha Swartz (Antigo, Wis./Antigo). Garley tossed a complete-game gem in game one, allowing just one unearned run, while Swartz started game two and pitched four strong innings before handing the ball to Garley, who earned the win with three scoreless frames to close out the game.
Game One Notes
- The Yellowjackets jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning, as Peyton Bennett (Harrisburg, S.D./Harrisburg) singled and scored on a wild pitch, followed by an RBI single from Garley.
- In the fifth inning, Baylee O'Donnell (Mendota Hights, Minn./Richfield) lined an RBI double to left center, and Zoe Thomson (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) followed with an RBI single to provide key insurance runs.
- Garley scattered six hits over seven innings, striking out four while inducing 12 groundouts.
- UW-Superior turned a crucial double play in the sixth inning, stifling a potential Potsdam rally.
- Bennett went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base.
- The Yellowjackets struck out just twice, consistently putting the ball in play against Potsdam's pitching.
Game Two Notes
- Bennett went 4-for-4, including a triple, while scoring three times and swiping three bases.
- UW-Superior struck first in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Thomson, bringing home Bennett.
- With a late-Inning surge, the Yellowjackets broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth, as Bennett tripled and scored on a Thomson sacrifice fly, while Ellie Macal (Winona, Minn./Cotter) followed with a two-run single to cap the scoring.
- In the circle Swartz allowed just one run on one hit through four innings, keeping Alfred State's offense in check. Garley entered in relief and shut the door, tossing three scoreless innings while striking out two.
- The Yellowjackets stole five bases, with Bennett leading the charge with three.
- UW-Superior racked up 14 hits, with Macal and O'Donnell each tallying two-hit performances.
UW-Superior will return to action on Friday, March 28, opening Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play against Martin Luther at 4 p.m.
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