BARTOW, Fla. — The Golden Eagles softball team (6-8) put up a fierce fight in their first game of The Spring Games but ultimately fell to Ashland (9-8) in a hard-fought 10–7 battle. They went on to face a tough outing against Saint Martin's in the second game, suffering an 11-0 defeat in five innings at the Miss Softball Complex.
Ashland 10, Clarion 7
In the clash with Ashland, the fourth inning was pivotal, as Ashland surged ahead with six runs, seizing a 9–3 advantage. Key plays included a two-RBI single from Kate Kujawski and several wild pitches that allowed more runs to cross the plate. Clarion fought back immediately, with
Sami Springman's two-RBI double in the bottom of the inning closing the gap to 9–6.
Earlier in the game,
Alexis Valencia electrified the crowd with an inside-the-park home run in the third inning that tied it up at 3–3. The senior center fielder smacked a hard fly ball to left field, with the diving catch attempt from Maren Metikosh just off the mark. The ball rolled to the fence, and Valencia got on her horse, beating the throw home for the first home run of her career.
In the second inning against Ashland,
Delanie Davison tripled and scored on
Amber Gilliam's sacrifice fly, giving Clarion an early edge. Despite their determination, missed chances and Ashland's strong pitching in the final innings stifled further comeback attempts. Even with Sophie Petrash adding a single and a stolen base in the sixth, the Golden Eagles couldn't bridge the gap. Valencia led the charge offensively with three hits, including her home run, and scored twice.
Brooke Dobson added two hits and crossed the plate twice, bolstering the Golden Eagles' attack. Springman was impressive with three RBIs and a double, while Medrano's two hits and two RBIs made a significant impact.
Saint Martin's 11, Clarion 0 (5 inn.)
In the subsequent game against Saint Martin's, the Golden Eagles managed just four hits while the Saints burst ahead with a powerful nine-run first inning. Saint Martin's set the tone early, capitalizing on a series of key plays, including RBI doubles from Kaylee Walker and Layla Royle, a fielder's choice RBI, and a crucial error that fueled their offensive surge. Elisa Dewees advanced on a wild pitch, allowing Emilee Morris to score an unearned run, expanding their lead even further.
The Golden Eagles battled under pressure but struggled to convert their opportunities. In the fourth inning,
Alexis Valencia and
Brooke Dobson hit back-to-back singles, creating a scoring chance. However, Valencia was tagged out at third, and despite a walk by
Jordy Best, the rally fizzled as
Delanie Davison fouled out to close the inning. The third inning showed promise for the Golden Eagles, with Sophie Petrash delivering a single. Yet, the momentum was cut short when
Emma Hipps hit into a line-drive 1-3 double play, keeping Clarion scoreless.
