TABOR COLLEGE: Lady 'Jays split pair with Sterling
Grand slam helps Tabor win finale
in extra innings
With two games remaining in the regular season, the Lady Bluejays need all the momentum they can get if they are to make a strong run in the KCAC softball tournament.
The good news is Tabor has a little rolling in its favor after splitting a doubleheader with the Sterling Lady Warriors, April 16 in a strong, gusting west wind in Hillsboro.
The Warriors got a boost from a trio of Bluejay errors to prevail in the opener, 10-6.
Playing her final regular season game in Hillsboro, Iva Werth made it memorable, decking a grand slam in extra innings to allow the Bluejays to outlast Sterling, 13-10.
Tabor lifts its record to 17-21 overall and 2-8 in the KCAC.
Also appearing for the final time in Hillsboro, Jennie Ewertt's first game on the pitcher's mound may have been one easier to forget.
The Warriors jumped out to 3-0 lead in the top of the first and Tabor was running uphill the remainder of the game.
By the time the Bluejays rallied for a pair of runs in the second, they were down 5-0.
Of the seven innings, Ewertt was only able to hold the Warriors scoreless in two, surrendering six hits in a losing effort.
The Warriors struck first again in the nightcap, taking a 2-0 lead against Bluejay pitcher Johannah Love.
But Tabor came charging back, taking a 3-2 lead after one, then pulling in front 6-2 after two with Ewertt going deep with a three-run homer.
The Bluejays added another run in the third to take a 7-2 lead before Warrior pitcher Heather Fry shut down the Tabor offense.
By the seventh inning, Sterling was right back in it, down 7-5.
The lead was too flimsy with the Warriors regaining their first lead since the top of the first with a four-run eruption in the top of the seventh.
With the threats of a Warrior sweep bearing down on them, the Bluejays forced bonus softball by tying the game at 9-9 with a two-run seventh inning.
Sterling added another run in the top of the eighth before Werth came to the rescue with the bases full of Bluejays.
Werth closed out her home career in style, winning the game for Tabor with a grand slam.
Love tossed a seven-hitter for the victory with the Bluejays doubling the Warriors' hitting.
The Bluejays traveled yesterday to Wichita to face the Friends Falcons. Results were not available at publication time.
Tabor travels Saturday to Lawrence to face the Haskell Lady T-Birds, a team that has owned the Bluejays this season, taking three games out of four.
The Bluejays close out the regular season April 29, traveling to Lindsborg to take on the Bethany Lady Swedes.
