CROWN POINT, Ind. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay softball team (2-5) faced Western Illinois (5-5) in a doubleheader at the Sparta Dome this afternoon, with the Leathernecks coming out on top in both contests. The first game was controlled by Western Illinois' high-powered offense, while the second game was a pitchers' duel between Briana Cavin and WIU's Kirkpatrick.
Western Illinois 13, Green Bay 3
Both teams were held scoreless until the top of the third when WIU's Maggio started the inning with a single to center field, later advancing to third on a single from Beatty and walk from Marshall. Once on third, Maggio was able to score on an error to give the Leathernecks the 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third.
Forced to respond to Western Illinois' one-run lead, Hailey Mohrfeld started the bottom of the inning with a double to right field. Following Mohrfeld's double, it was Abby Brinkmeier's turn at the plate for the Phoenix. Brinkmeier did not disappoint, sending one over the left field wall and giving the Phoenix a 2-1 advantage heading into the fourth.
Western Illinois took control of the game in the fifth inning, starting things off with a homerun from Kouchis and scoring seven runs in the inning to lead things 8-2.
The final inning found Green Bay down 13-2 with Miranda Spangberg, Allie Hislope and Hailee Frey slated to have plate appearances for the Phoenix. Spangberg started the inning with a double to left in an attempt to get the rally started for Green Bay. Spangberg later scored on a Mohrfeld single, scoring the last run of the game for the Phoenix before falling 13-3 to the Leathernecks.
Mohrfeld finished the game 2-4 at the plate with a double and an RBI. Brinkmeier also had a phenomenal start to the doubleheader, going 2-3 with a home run and two RBIs.
Western Illinois 1, Green Bay 0
In the second game of the twinbill, Briana Cavin and WIU's Kirkpatrick were both dealing on the mound. Cavin pitched all six innings for the Phoenix, garnering four strikeouts and only allowing a single run. Kirkpatrick pitched 6.1 innings for the Leathernecks before being relieved by Stulga in the final inning.
The lone run of the game came after the Leathernecks' Walsh hit a sacrifice fly to score Messer in the third inning.
Green Bay made a strong effort for a comeback in the final inning, loading the bases to bring Jaclyn Delagrange to the plate for a shot to knot things up for the Phoenix. Delagrange hit a rocket in her turn at the plate; with the only downfall being that it was right at the second baseman to end the game.
Mohrfeld finished the game 2-4 at the plate, while Brinkmeier finished 2-3 for the second-straight contest.
Green Bay softball will return to action starting on Friday, Mar. 13 when the team travels south to Florida for a series of ten games in five days.
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