HAMPDEN, ME
The bats stayed hot for the Owls on a beautiful spring day in Hampden as they swept their opening weekend of conference games with a run-rule victory of 9-0 in game one, followed by a come-from-behind effort to sweep the series.
Game 1, 9-0 Owls:
UMPI turned to Gracelyn Walsh to make the start for the second straight day after tossing her second straight five inning no-hitter the day prior. Walsh was masterful yet again, although Johnson would end the hitless streak with a single in the 2nd inning.
The Owls offense was relentless, scoring multiple runs in all four of their turns at bat. They added two in the 1st, three in the 2nd, two in the 3rd and two more in the 4th to put the run-rule in effect. It was all up and down the order as well, as eight of nine batters got in the hit column.
Top Performers:
Gracelyn Walsh was terrific in the circle again although Johnson made the defense work a little harder than it has in recent games. She went the full five innings again, allowing three hits, striking out five and walking one, and hardly had to break a sweat, throwing just 57 pitches.
Hailey Saylor was on fire at the top of UMPI's order, going 3-4 with an RBI and three runs scored. Zoe Stewart went 2-3 with three RBI including a two-run homer in the 2nd inning. Gracelyn Walsh went 2-4 at the plate with two RBI. Megan Buchholz was the fourth UMPI senior to have a multi-hit game, going 2-3, while Abby Doughty was the fifth Owl to have multiple knocks, going 2-3.
Game 2, 8-4 Owls:
Johnson came out firing this game and made it clear from the start it wouldn't be a cakewalk for UMPI to sweep the doubleheader. They scored four runs in the 1st inning and threatened to really break it open, having the bases loaded and just one out with the top of the order looming, after scoring four runs already. But a timely line drive double-play ended the threat and was just what UMPI needed to weather the storm.
The Owls grabbed one back in their half of the 1st, although the Badgers ended the inning with a beautiful double play of their own, as centerfield Kristie Zator threw a dot to home plate to nab Zoe Stewart trying to score from third on a sac-fly opportunity. The Owls settled for a 4-1 Badger lead entering the second.
After the Badgers blanked the Owls in the 2nd, they got some traffic on the bases in the 3rd, scoring once to bring it 4-2 with runners on second and third. That brought up Gracelyn Walsh, who currently leads the NAC in batting average, slashing .509. Walsh needed just a base hit to tie the game, but she opted to play long ball, roping a line drive home run to deep right field to gave the Owls the lead in one swing.
UMPI scored once in each of the next three innings while starter Hailey Saylor gave the ball to Gracelyn Walsh in the 3rd, and Walsh was able to shut down the Johnson bats the rest of the way, giving up an 8-4 win and an opening conference weekend sweep.
Top Performers:
At the Plate it was Zoe Stewart who emerged in the box score, going 3-4 with 2 RBI, and another home run, a solo shot on a scorched line drive to center field. Gracelyn Walsh went 2-4 with three more RBI as she's currently the conference leader in that category as well with 27 across 19 games played.
Michaela Carney ad Madison Boynton both had multi-hit games, going 2-3, with Boynton adding UMPI's only double on the day. The Owls lineup finished with 13 hits in the series finale.
In the circle, Hailey started the game and worked through some heavy traffic in the 1st inning, tossing 3 innings before giving the ball to Gracelyn Walsh who would end up getting the win. Walsh threw four innings of scoreless relief allowing two hits, while striking out seven batters.
Up Next:
The Owls improve to 9-10 overall and 4-0 in conference after an 0-8 start, making them winners of 9 of their last 11 games. They also extend their winning streak to six games – the longest streak since 2021 when they won 13 in a row. They will be tested when they go to Thomas College next Saturday, April 18, for another NAC doubleheader with those games beginning at 1pm.
