Warriors Softball Split Twin-Bill with Eagles

The Nelson Lady Warriors softball team (18-24) split a doubleheader on the road against the Embry-Riddle Eagles on Tuesday, winning a wild Game 1 by a score of 12-8 before falling 12-4 (5 innings – run-rule) in Game 2.

Game 1: Nelson 12, Embry-Riddle 8
The Warriors jumped out to a 3-1 lead after two innings behind an RBI single from Charli York and a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch taken by Araeya Cosay in the first, plus an RBI double from Estevannie Rojas in the second. The teams traded runs over the next few innings before Embry-Riddle eventually took a 6-5 lead into the top of the sixth.

That's when Nelson's bats exploded in one of the biggest innings of the season. Vanessa Philpot opened the frame with a triple to right field. Maritza Rodriguez walked, and Emily Quigg drove in Philpot with a fielder's choice. Charli York singled to put runners on first and second. It was then the the merry-go-round of run scorers began. Araeya Cosay singled in Quigg, Stephany Aguirre singled in York, and Amber Lopez singled in Cosay. After a pitching change, the batts didn't stop. Destiny Medina reached on a centerfield error that allowed Aguirre to score, Philpot walked on four pitches, and Estevannie Rojas singled in Medina. A long fly ball to left by Rodriguez ended the inning, but the damage was done — 12 batters came to the plate, producing six hits and seven runs, turning a one-run deficit into a commanding 12-6 lead.

Embry-Riddle scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh in a brief rally attempt, but relief pitcher Yanelyssia Chavez deftly closed the door to preserve the 12-8 victory.

Game 2: Embry-Riddle 12, Nelson 4 (5 innings – run-rule)
In game 2, the Eagles turned the tables on the Warriors early. After Amber Lopez tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the second with an RBI double that scored Stephany Aguirre, Embry-Riddle erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the inning on six hits to take a 9-1 lead.

Nelson fought back in the top of the third when Charli York crushed a 3-run bomb for her 5th home run of the season to cut the deficit to 9-4, however that was all the offense the Warriors would generate. Embry-Riddle added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to push the lead to 12-4, triggering the run-rule and ending the game after five innings.

Charli York had a great day at the plate, finishing 4-8 with 1 home run, 3 runs and 5 RBI. Araeya Cosay finished 3-4 with 2 RBI, and Amber Lopez finished 3-5, with 2 RBI.