MYRTLE BEACH (S.C.)--- The Delaware Valley University softball team put on an offensive showing against Hilbert College in their first game of the season, as the Aggies dominated in a 22-1 win. The 22 runs was the most scored in a game by the Aggies since they scored 24 against Fisher College on March 8th, 2016. The Aggies would go on to lose game two of the doubleheader to Pikeville, 19-1.
GAME ONE
After Hilbert scored an unearned in the first inning, the Aggies answered with a six spot in the bottom half of the frame. Sierra Ripka led off with a single and stole second before Carly Mahal reached on a bunt single. Madison Donnelly got the scoring started with an RBI single for the Aggies before Hilbert made two errors on the same play to plate the Aggies' second run. Kenzie Boyd brought home a pair of runners with a single to right field to extend the lead to 4-1. Olivia Spofford capped off the frame with a two-run single up the middle to plate Boyd and Danielle Helwig.
The Aggies added on two runs in the second inning on an RBI triple by Donnelly and a sacrifice fly by Makenna Cooper, making the score 8-1 after two innings.
The third inning saw the Aggies put up seven runs on five hits with the help of a pair of Hawks errors. Spofford brought home the first run with a bases loaded walk and a Hilbert error extended the lead to 10-1. Donnelly then came to the plate with two runners on and lined a shot to center. The centerfielder laid out and couldn't make the catch Donnelly circled the bases for an inside-the-park homerun to make it 13-1. After Yasmine Gonzalez and Tori Bockrath both singled, Boyd finished off the inning with another two-run single to push the lead to 15-1 after three innings.
Runs continued to pour in during the fourth inning, as DelVal added on seven more. Ashley Brubaker brought home a run with an RBI single and Bockrath walked home a run to make it 17-1. Olivia Rexrode roped a two-run single down the third base line, growing the advantage to 19-1. Marisa Lepard singled home a run and after a Hawks' error made it 21-1, Bailey Smith brought home the final run with an RBI single.
The Aggies had 17 hits in the game including two from Sierra Ripka, Carly Mahal and Kenzie Boyd. Mahal and Ripka each scored three runs while Boyd drove in four runs. Madison Donnelly went 3-for-3 with an inside-the-park home run, a triple, five RBIs and two runs scored. Makenna Cooper, Yasmine Gonzalez, Tori Bockrath and Danielle Helwig each scored two runs and all but two Aggies scored a run in the game.
Kenzie Boyd fired a game in the circle for the Aggies, allowing one unearned run on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts.
GAME TWO
Pikeville jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. Six of the 11 runs were unearned as the Bears had just three hits and took advantage of five walks.
Jillian Ulozas notched the first hit of the game for the Aggies with a single up the middle in the third. She would find herself on third base after an error by the center field on the play and would come in to score on a wild pitch. The Aggies were unable to generate any more offense, as Pikeville scored five runs in the fourth and three in the fifth on their way to a 19-1 win.
The Aggies will continue their Myrtle Beach trip with a doubleheader tomorrow against Sweet Briar College at 5 p.m. and Bridgewater State at 7 p.m.
