The Keiser softball team improved to 10-9, 2-1 on the season today with a split doubleheader versus Avila University. The Seahawks went down in game one 8-2, and walked off a dramatic game two in the seventh inning.

---

Keiser Seahawks 2, Avila Eagles 8
Pitchers of Record: W: Smith (5-1) L: Merriman (3-3)

• Kelsie Merriman got the start, and pitched the first five innings and struck out five batters. (79 pitches)
• Tes DeBono and Maggie Miller made relief appearances to close out the game. (44 combined pitches)

• Ashley Bullock hit an RBI single.
• Tess McGann, Macy Schaaf, Tes DeBono and Molly Reid stole one base each. 

Keiser fought through three scoreless innings, and took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. However, the Eagles had big 5th and 6th innings hitting the ball, and scored eight unanswered runs. 


Keiser 2, Avila 0

• Macy Schaaf got on base with a single, and the Eagles made a fielding error that allowed Madison Manning to score Keiser's first run of the day.
• Two batters later, Ashley Bullock hit a single that allowed Schaaf to scamper home. 

Keiser 2, Avila 4

• Avila got their first run of the game in on a passed ball. 
• Shortly afterward, the Eagles hit a two run homer over the left field wall to take the lead. 
• The Eagles later added an RBI single to go up by two runs. 

Keiser 2, Avila 8

• With a runner on second with two outs, the Eagles hit three consecutive doubles to drive in three runs.
• Another run came in later on an RBI single.

Keiser 2, Avila 8

• KU's last turn at bat ended in a fly-out with a runner stranded. 

---

Keiser Seahawks 4, Avila Eagles 3
Pitchers of Record: W: Small (7-4) L: Walter (5-4)

• Lizzy Small tossed seven full innings, and struck out three batters. (101 pitches)

• Tess McGann went 3-4 at the plate with and scored the game winning run.  
• Kelsie Merriman delivered an RBI in a critical situation in the seventh inning. 

• The Seahawks endured another late scoring flurry from the Eagles, and caught fire in the seventh inning and escaped with the win. 

Keiser 1, Avila 0

• Keiser got on the scoreboard first with an Eagles throwing error that allowed Madison Manning to score. 

Keiser 1, Avila 1

• Avila tied the game with an RBI double to left center. 

Keiser 1, Avila 2

• The Eagles took the lead with a single that scored a runner from third base.

Keiser 1, Avila 3

• Avila added to its lead with an RBI single.

Keiser 4, Avila 3

• Down by two runs, the Seahawks came up to bat in the bottom of the seventh in danger of being swept on the day. Madison Manning kept hope alive by drawing a lead-off walk. 
• Macy Schaaf lined a single through the left infield gap.
• Tess McGann hit a bunt single, and suddenly the Seahawks had the bases loaded. 
• After a pop-out, Lizzy Small stepped up to bat and hit a sac-fly that brought home Madison Manning. 
• With two outs on the board, Kelsie Merriman smacked a clutch RBI single past second base that brought home Macy Schaaf for the tying run.
• Extra innings seemed imminent, but Molly Reid hit a wormburner that forced an error from the Eagle's thirdbaseman and brought Tess McGann home for an exhilarating walk-off victory for the Seahawks. 

 

• Madison Manning scored the first run in both games.
• Tess McGann collected four hits in two games. 
• KU is 8-3 in its last 11 games.

"After the first game I told the team to find its grit," said head coach John Pryor. "I emphasized that we needed to work together better and fight harder. I was pleased that they responded and rose to the challenge in game two."


The Seahawks will play a three game home series this weekend versus Ave Maria. First pitch of game one is set for 2:00 p.m. this Friday.