TUSCON, Arizona—After exploding for 19 runs earlier in the day, Wittenberg softball found themselves in a good old-fashioned pitcher's duel on Saturday afternoon against Whitworth. The Tigers eventually fell 1-0, as both Whitworth's starting pitcher, and Abby Haab, went the distance. Haab threw a gem on Saturday afternoon, surrendering four hits in seven innings of work, while striking out three. The only run of the game came in the top of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly to centerfield. The Tigers had their chances late to claw back with a run of their own, but Whitworth's starting pitcher slammed the door as the Tiger fell 1-0.
OFFENSIVE NOTES: Cassidy Rowe paced the Tigers offense with two hits, including a double to deep right-center field that gave the Tigers a chance to knot the game up at 1-1. Katy Baumgartner stepped up to the plate with two-outs for the Tigers in the bottom of the sixth, as Rowe was still stranded at second after her double. Baumgartner sliced a pitch into centerfield, as Rowe was cut down at the plate trying to score from second. The Tigers would show life in the bottom of the seventh, as a one out Lauren Buelow single turned into a double as the following pitch got away from Whitworth's catcher. With the tying run on second base and two outs to work with, Wittenberg struck out and grounded out to end the game.
DEFENSIVE NOTES: The Tigers recorded four errors in the contest, as Haab pitched nicely around the errors in the 1-0 loss. The top of the fourth featured the lone run of the contest and started with a hit but was supplemented with an error that allowed a sac bunt to put Whitworth runners on second and third with one out. Whitworth then hit a ball deep to centerfield, far back enough to plate the lone run of the game.
UP NEXT: Wittenberg is back in action on Sunday against Wisconsin-Oshkosh.