Ravens Softball added two to the win column Tuesday afternoon at home.
The Ravens swept the Baker University Wildcats, taking Game 1 by a score of 10-3, then finishing the sweep with a score of 4-1 in Game 2.
Game 1
The opening game of the doubleheader looked like it might be a slugfest early on. The Wildcats plated 3 runs in the top of the first inning, then the Ravens plated 3 in the bottom of the frame to tie the score. It was all Ravens after that, though, as MacKenzie Pinkerton held Baker scoreless in the final 6 innings of the contest. She finished with 5 hits allowed to go with 3 strikeouts to move to 6-7 on the season.
With the score tied 3-3, the Ravens took control of the game in the third inning, scoring 4 runs to go up 7-3. Lenae Salinas started the rally with a walk, with Ally Pickering reaching on a bunt single behind her. Chloe Strickland singled in Salinas, then stole second base while a wild pitch allowed Pickering to score. Following a Kassidy James single, Megan Medhus drove in Strickland with a base hit, then James scored on a sacrifice bunt by Kylie Hays.
The Ravens added 3 more in the sixth inning. Madison Zaccardo had a bunt single to score Medhus, then Salinas delivered the final blow in the form of a 2-run triple that scored Hays and Hailey Burmeister, who pinch ran for Zaccardo.
Medhus had 4 hits in the game, Hays and Strickland each had 2 hits, and Salinas recorded 3 RBIs.
Game 2
The Ravens got off to a hot start in the second game. After Kera Willoughby retired the Wildcats in the top of the first inning, the Ravens plated 2 runs in the bottom half. Zaccardo and Salinas each singled to drive in Hays and Natalie Sheffield, respectively.
The Ravens added a run in the fifth and the sixth inning to close out the sweep.
Willoughby went 5.2 innings and allowed just 1 unearned run to improve to 3-2 on the season. Pinkerton recorded the final 4 outs for the Ravens, picking up her second save of the season.
With the win, the Ravens are 18-16 on the season, and 8-12 in Heart of America play. With four-straight wins, the Ravens are back in the hunt for a spot in the Heart of America Postseason Tournament. They'll continue their homestand with a doubleheader against Graceland University starting at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 14.
