The Tiffin University softball team's recent string of losses continued on Saturday, falling 1-0 and 4-3 to Ferris State University. In both games, runs after the 5th inning decided the fate of both games.
Game One
Kimmy Reynolds marched to the mound for Tiffin in the opener, and was on her game, holding the Bulldogs off the board for four innings while striking out four.
Tiffin had chances on the offensive end, most notably in the top of the 5th. After back to back singles, Alayna Lytle loaded the bases with a bunt single. With only one out, Libby Crow thought she had given Tiffin the lead with a fly ball to center field, but a strong throw nailed April Bennet at the plate to keep the game a scoreless tie.
A half inning later, the Bulldogs took a one run lead with two hits and a hit batter. The Dragons had an opportunity to tie the game in the 6th, but stranded runners at second and third.
Kimmy Reynolds went the distance for Tiffin, tossing six innings, allowing one run, eight hits, and struck out seven in a losing effort. As a team, Tiffin collected eight hits, all singles, and stranded six runners. April Bennet and Alayna Lytle both finished 2 for 3.
Game Two
The ball was handed to Tiffany Snell to stop the streak in game two, but she encountered trouble right from the get go. Ferris State scored a run on two hits and an error to lead 1-0.
After the 1st inning hiccup, Snell settled down and pitched scoreless softball for the remainder of her time on the mound. The Tiffin offense had their big inning in the 3rd, plating two runs on five hits and an error. Sierra Besser-Paul reached second base on a Ferris State error, and then stole third base. She scored on Alayna Lytle's single to tie the game. Jamie Sevenish drove home the go ahead run with a single to center field, scoring Lytle. The inning could have been much bigger, but the Dragons stranded three runners.
Tiffin held the lead headed to the top of the 7th, but the Bulldogs were up to the task of the comeback. The Bulldogs socred three runs on two hits and a walk to take a 4-2 lead to the bottom of the 7th.
A lead off triple by Besser-Paul gave Tiffin a chance, as she scored on a sac fly from Libby Crow to pull Tiffin a run closer at 4-3. That would be as close as Tiffin would get, falling 4-3.
Reliever Savannah Chalfant took the loss, allowing two runs. At the plate, Jamie Sevenish finished 2 for 3 with a run batted in, and Sierra Besser-Paul was 2 for 3 with two runs scored.
Tiffin falls to 14-17 overall and 1-5 in GLIAC play.