Leesburg, FL – The Wittenberg University softball team celebrated their two Tiger seniors, on Friday afternoon with two wins, taking down Emmanuel (Mass.) 5-0 in game one, before moving on to defeat Marywood University 4-3 in the second game of the day. The Tiger's season will, unfortunately, come to an end on Saturday afternoon, after their two games against Bridgewater State and Minn.-Morris, with the rest of the spring season being called off, due to COVID-19. Wittenberg posted 12 hits in their two games on the day with five coming in game one and seven coming in game two. Elise Freeland recorded five hits between the two games, going 2 for 4 in game one, crossing home twice. Freeland kept the hot bat going in the second game of the day, finishing the day 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Red and White.
Emmanuel Game Breakdown
The Tigers got the scoring started early, with Freeland starting the game with a leadoff single followed by a stolen base. Briana Gibson drove in the first Tiger run, forcing the Emmanuel throwing error and giving the Red and White the 1-0 lead. Wittenberg sparked an offensive rally in the seventh inning, putting up four runs. Gibson started the rally, forcing the fielder's choice and bringing around Brooke Dill for the second Tiger run. A single to right field by Clara Andersen brought around the next two Tiger runs, plating Gibson and Freeland. Victoria Toetz capped off the Tiger scoring rally with a single to left to bring home Andersen, putting up the fifth and final Wittenberg run of the game. Katelyn Niswonger picked up the win, tossing seven innings of four-hit ball and striking out 10.
Marywood Game Breakdown
The Tigers battled it out with the Pacers in the second game, holding off Marywood through seven innings. The Pacers put up two runs in the second inning to take the early lead. Wittenberg responded with a score of their own in the bottom half of the inning, scoring off the Samantha Lindsey double to left, bringing around Megan Niswonger for the first Tiger run of the game. Gibson sparked another Tiger rally in the third inning with a single to right-center, bringing around Freeland to knot things up at 2-2. Toetz pushed the Tigers ahead, 3-2, with a shot up the middle bringing around Gibson. Freeland helped extend the Tiger lead with a single in the fourth inning, advancing to second on the throw and bringing in Niki Hawkins for the fourth Wittenberg run. Cassidy Osborn got the start, putting in just over an inning of work and striking out one. Mary Britton came on to get the win with five innings pitched, fanning one with just two hits allowed.