Hillsboro, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons held on for a 6-4 win in the second game to come away with a split at the Tabor College Bluejays today (Apr. 6) in Hillsboro, Kan. The Bluejays won the first game in a pitcher's duel 1-0.
Following the tough opening game setback, the Falcons got going quickly when Carolyn Dallimore recorded the first of her three hits and scored on a single by Becca Dunn.
A sacrifice fly by Priscilla Mora then extended the early lead to 2-0.
The Panthers got on the board in the bottom of the first to cut the lead in half, but Dallimore gave the Falcons their two-run lead back with an RBI single that plated Fallyn Marshall in the second inning.
After Lauren Roberts hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second, Laila Spracklen provided the Falcons with an RBI groundout to score Vanessa Sigala and make it 4-2.
Dunn then gave the Falcons more separation with a two-run double in the fourth that created a four-run cushion.
The Falcons had to hold on from there, as the Bluejays scored a run in the fifth and seventh innings to trim the lead back down to two runs.
But with the tying runs on base and the potential go-ahead run at the plate, Kierstan Weitze got a groundout to second to escape the jam and pick up the save.
In addition to her three hits, Dallimore scored twice in the nightcap victory for the Falcons. Mora also crossed the plate two times, with Dunn going 2-of-4 with three RBIs. Marshall was also 2-of-4 for Friends.
Laila Spracklen battled through six innings with three runs allowed, three strikeouts and walked five to earn the victory. Weitze gave up one run, struck out one with one walk in the seventh inning.
Chloe Yturbide-Reader pitched three scoreless innings to give Tabor a chance to rally.
In the opening tilt, there was too much Marisa Carranza for the Bluejays. Carranza blanked the Falcons on just four hits with a pair of strikeouts and walked none over seven innings.
Riley Wertz was also solid in the circle for Friends (21-15, 9-7 KCAC), striking out eight batters against just one walk with one run allowed in seven frames.
Tabor got the only run of the game when Roberts singled in a run in the bottom of the fifth.
Payten Staley had two hits in the second game win for the Bluejays (12-20, 6-10 KCAC).
The Falcons are back in action at home vs. Oklahoma Wesleyan University Tuesday afternoon (Apr. 9) at 3 pm at Two Rivers Youth Complex.
