WINTHROP'S BIG ARMS STYMIE HAWKS OFFENCE
ROCK HILL, SC: A day after the Humber bats came alive for 11 runs against Columbia, the Hawks women's softball team was held in check by the Winthrop Eagles pitching staff during Thursday's doubleheader.
In game one, the Eagles threw their ace Dallas King and the senior from North Carolina kept Humber off balance all game long. King recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts while allowing just one hit. Second-year Terah Camilleri (Streetsville) picked up the only hit for Humber in the 8-1 loss.
In the fifth inning, Keleigh Romine entered the game for the Eagles and the Hawks took advantage of the new arm. Humber put their impressive plate discipline on display; drawing four walks in the inning. King reentered the game and picked up another strikeout to strand the bases loaded.
After Winthrop picked up eight runs – six earned – in the first four innings, second-year pitcher Amanda Van de Graaf came into the game. The fitness and health major came in and shut the door, facing just one batter over the minimum in her two innings of relief. Through five games, Van de Graaf has been impressive on the bump, only allowing five runs through nine innings of work.
In game two, the Hawks were tasked with facing a flame throwing lefty from North Carolina in Kiley Majette. The freshman went the distance only allowing one run on two hits over seven innings.
Not to be outdone by her freshman counter part, Briana Donaldson (Gorrie) put together her most dominant pitching performance of the trip thus far. The kinesiology major also went the distance, only allowing one run over six innings. Unfortunately for Donaldson and the Hawks, they took the loss after allowing five unearned runs in the game.
Despite earning two losses today, the Hawks had multiple chances to win both games and proved they can compete with the best in NCAA division I softball.
Tomorrow the Hawks will head to Orangeburg, SC to take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs in another doubleheader scheduled for 2:00pm and 4:00pm.