CLERMONT, Fla. – The Adrian College softball team lost a tough game in extra innings against Monmouth College (Ill.) on Thursday, March 7. The game went to nine innings before the Fighting Scots broke the tie in the bottom of the ninth to win 4-3.

THE BASICS

Final Scoreline: Monmouth 4-7-0 | Adrian 3-11-1

Location: Clermont, Fla. (Hancock Recreational Complex, Field Two)

Records: AC 3-4, MC 1-9

HOW IT HAPPENED

Adrian didn't waste time getting on the board, as sophomore right fielder Jamie Bell scored with two outs in the top of the first. Bell started the game off with a leadoff walk and then advanced to second on a sacrifice ground out. She then stole third and came around to score on a double from senior first baseman Paige Cubberly.

The Bulldogs doubled their lead in the second, with Bell's bat driving in the run. Junior center fielder Madison Budde hit a one out single to right and then advanced to second on a single from sophomore left fielder Alaina Macksoud. After Monmouth mustered a strikeout, Bell was able to get her bat on the ball to drive in Budde and send Macksoud to second. The two runners were then able to advance on the throw, giving AC two runners in scoring position with two outs. However, the Bulldogs were unable to tack on more runs as another strikeout ended the innings.

The score remained 2-0 in Adrian's favor until the fifth inning when Kaelan Bradley hit a two-run homer to tie the game. The game stayed tied through the seventh, and into extra innings the game went, the second time this season for the Black and Gold.

Adrian took the lead in the top of the eighth when freshman Lauren McCulligh hit a sacrifice fly to center that scored junior Ashley Lenington. Lenington began the inning on second base, per NCAA extra inning rules, and stole third before McCulligh brought her home. The lead would be short-lived as the Fighting Scots hit a sacrifice fly to center of their own to tie it up.

The Bulldogs tried to take the lead again in the top of the ninth when Bell singled to left center with two outs and Budde was waved around to home. The play at the plate was close but Budde was ruled out to end the inning.

That would prove to be the last time AC had a chance to score, as Monmouth was able to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth with no outs and eventually single to score the deciding run to win the game.

TOP DAWGS

• Bell, Cubberly, and McCulligh had the RBIs for the Bulldogs.

• Bell led the way with three hits, while Macksoud, senior shortstop Krista Lynch, and junior catcher Hope Kapelanski each had two.

• Sophomore Loren Vail started the game and went 4.2 innings, giving up two runs on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Cubberly pitched the rest of the way and is credited with the loss in 3.1 innings, but neither of her runs were earned.

THE OPPOSITION

• Bradley hit the home run for the Fighting Scots and scored again in the eighth.

• Cassidy Abbott and Brittney Enos picked up the other RBIs for Monmouth.

• Zelinda Taylor pitched all nine innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on 11 hits, with two walks and four strikeouts.

UP NEXT

Adrian plays the second half of its doubleheader today at 1:30 p.m. against Eastern Nazarene. The Bulldogs then play a doubleheader tomorrow to finish spring break before returning north to Adrian to open the home schedule in two weeks.

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