Softball Walks Off Hastings Twice

Softball hosted Hastings on Tuesday afternoon in Crete. Both games came down to the final inning with the Tigers picking up a pair of walk-off wins to sweep the Broncos. It marked the first time since 2010 that Doane had two walk-off wins in a doubleheader.

In game one, Doane picked up a run in the first inning on an error. In the second inning, Grace Dowding drove in a run with an infield single. Hastings came back with two unearned runs in the third inning to tie the game, 2-2.

Doane regained the lead in the fourth inning. Dowding reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded and all runners successfully advancing a base. Lexi Alaniz-Diaz drove in a run with a ground out for a 4-2 Tiger lead. Hastings tied the game in the sixth inning with a two-run single to tie the game.

In the seventh inning with one out, Doane drew three consecutive walks to bring Faith Molina to the plate. She delivered a sacrifice fly to give Doane a 5-4 win.

Abbi Arroyo started for the Tigers and threw 3.0 innings, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one. Molina picked up the win with 4.0 innings pitched. She allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one.

Doane had six hits in the game, all singles. Dowding led the team with two runs batted in.

The second game started with Hastings plating a run in the top of the first inning. Doane answered back with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Katelyn Hays doubled to tie the game and Molina followed with a two-run single for a 3-1 advantage.

Hastings came back with two unearned runs in the third inning and took the lead with an RBI-single in the fourth. The Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on a double by Alaniz-Diaz.

In the ninth inning, Hastings opened with a walk and a hit batter to put two runners on base with no outs. The Tiger defense came up with a big play as Marisa Marquez snagged a line drive and threw to first base to record a double play. Molina picked up a strikeout to end the inning.

As the teams moved into the 10th inning, the last batter from the previous inning was placed at second base.  The first batter for Hastings hit a high chopper back up the middle only to have Molina snag it and throw to first to record the out while the runner at second base was unable to advance. Molina struck out the next two batters to bring the Tigers to the plate.

Marquez occupied second base for the Tigers to start the inning and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Hays. On the first pitch to Molina, the ball skipped through the catcher's legs and to the backstop, allowing Marquez to score the winning run.

Seven players combined for seven hits in the game for Doane. Alaniz-Diaz, Marquez, and Hays all had a double. Dowding scored two runs for the Tigers while Molina drove in two runs.

Sarah Shevenell started for Doane and threw 6.0 innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out two. Molina picked up the win with 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out five.

Doane will head to Sioux City, Iowa, on Wednesday, April 24, to take on Briar Cliff. First pitch is scheduled for 1 PM.