WHITTIER, CA - Susquehanna softball matched up against Whittier College in a Friday doubleheader as the River Hawks near the end of their California spring break trip. While they were defeated in both contests 8-6 and 5-1, senior Hailey Kaba earned two home runs on the day, pushing three runs across the plate. Susquehanna has one more go before heading back east against Redlands on Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. Pacific / 2 p.m. Eastern.
Game 1: Whittier College 8, Susquehanna University 6
Whittier came into the match up swinging as they tallied a run on the board in the first inning. Susquehanna escaped the inning not allowing any additional damage to the scoreboard. The second inning fared well for the Poets as they tacked on an additional two runs to jump out to an early 3-0 lead over the River Hawks. The third inning fared extremely well for Susquehanna as they put up a five spot, with Hailey Kaba sending a ball out of the park, scoring two runs. Lexi Palumbo singled to right field to push Alyssa Mayorca across the plate, knotting the game at three. The offensive dominance of the third inning continued as Katelyn Dugery earned her second career home run, propelling the River Hawks to a five run inning, and a two run lead, 5-3. Whittier knotted the game back up at five all using the fourth inning and the first third of the fifth inning, before reclaiming the lead entering the 6th, 8-5. Hailey Kaba sent yet another ball out of the park as she solo homered in the top of the seventh. Whittier College escaped the inning, sealing the game 8-6 shortly after.
Hannah Foust got the start for Susquehanna, striking out two battrs on a day where she allowed four earned runs on five hits in 3.1 innings of work. Brianna Jones stepped in the circle, striking out two as well, giving up four earned runs on four hits before being saddled with the loss.
Game 2: Whittier College 5, Susquehanna University 1
Susquehanna's second game of the afternoon was a defensive battle between the teams from Pennsylvania and California. Susquehanna struck first as Mary Wilkinson scored her second career run as the Poets produced an error at short-stop allowing the first-year player to cross home. Susquehanna held this narrow 1-0 lead until the fourth inning when the Poets would hit a home run, pushing three runs in. Whittier College claimed the lead and never look back. The Poets tacked on an additional two runs to the eventual final of 5-1.
Ashley Carlson got the start for SU, pitching three inning and allowing three earned runs on three hits with two strikeouts. Riley Mullen pitched two frames, surrending just two earned runs on two hits with one strikeout, while Brianna Jones pitched the sixth, retiring the side with two strikeouts.
Up Next: Susquehanna falls to 1-5 on the young season as they look to wrap up the trip out west against the University of Redlands on Saturday, March 8 in their final doubleheader in California. The River Hawks first pitch is slated for 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET, with the second match up slated for 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET.
