Trailblazers plagued by errors in doubleheader
Cape Coral, FL- The Trailblazers outhit Eastern Nazerene 6-4 but errors doomed them as they lost their first game of the day 4-0. The Trailblazers now fall to 2-5 on the season.
Eastern Nazerene scored two runs in the third and two runs in the fourth. Leadoff batter Priscilla Garcia worked a walk to start the third and then advanced to third on an infield throwing error. Sam Losano who reached on the throwing error stole second and next batter Cayla Clinksale grounded out to Shelbi Clary scoring Garcia. Another MCLA error put Eastern Nazerene up 2-0. In the fourth Garcia would double to left with two outs and come around to score on Losano's single. Two more MCLA errors allowed Losano to score the fourth and final run of the game.
MCLA's best chances came in the first and third inning. In the first Rachel Quackenbush led off with a single and took second on a wild pitch. Amanda Meczywor earned herself a walk. With one out in the inning Tanelle Ciempa grounded into a fielder's choice getting Quackenbush out at third. Samantha Barbarotta would end the inning by grounding out to first. The Trailblazers would load the bases in the third inning but couldn't push a run across. With one out, Barbarotta would ground into a 1-2-3 double play. That would be the last of MCLA's threats for the game.
MCLA committed five errors behind losing pitcher Amanda Meczywor. Quackenbush went 2-2 at the plate, singling to left and center.
MCLA would force an international tie breaker with Saint Joseph's of Maine in the second game of the morning. Neither team could push across a run in seven complete innings which featured Quackenbush dominating Saint Joseph of Maine's line up.
With the international tie breaker in effect and Darien Sullivan at second base, Kristin Nadeau sacrificed herself moving Sullivan to third base. MCLA had the top of the order coming up. With one out Michaela DiNicola singled in Sullivan, and that was the only run the Trailblazers could produce.
In the bottom half of the inning, Quackenbush retired the first batter she faced, but Connie Gravo reached first on an infield error. Kim Jordan who was placed on second came around to score on the play tying the game at one. Quackenbush would then earn her 14th strikeout of the game. With two outs and Gravo at first, Danica Gleason singled to right field. The Trailblazers defense had a miscommunication on the play and a bobbled ball in the infield allowed Gravo to score from second and secure the win for Saint Joseph's of Maine.
The Trailblazers will enter their last two games of the trip tomorrow at 2-6. They will play again at 9:00 am and 11:00 am.