Take a barrage of 31 hits---13 for extra bases---36 runs and combine them with shutdown pitching that includes surrendering just four hits, two walks along with 16 strikeouts over two games and you have a virtually impossible mountain to overcome. The Golden Eagles softball team got such an effort in an 8-0, 28-2, doubleheader sweep over Bryant & Stratton Cleveland at TCC Saints Field in an early Monday afternoon matinee.
KSU Tuscarawas led off the bottom of the home half of the first inning in the opening game with four straight hits, three of them doubles by Dessa Dubbert, Regan Brown and Karlee Peach as they staked themselves to an early 4-0 lead. Nine batters got their turn at the plate.
In the second inning, the Eagles swatted four consecutive singles by the aforementioned, Dubbert, Brown, Peach along with Harley Mason as they added two more runs and took a 6-0 advantage after two innings.
Samone Shepherd led off the third frame with a double and scored on a triple by Alyssa Hughes. Hughes crossed the plate moments later on a sacrifice fly to deep center by Dubbert and the Navy and Gold had all the runs they needed for the collegiate eight-run mercy rule after five innings.
Mason kept Bobcat hitters at bay tossing a one-hitter, striking out 11 and walking just one batter for the victory.
Dubbert, Brown and Peach all went 2/3 at the plate, each with a double and single to lead the Golden Eagles.
BSC got on the board first with a run in the top of the first in the second game, just before a big explosion as 14 KSU Tusc batters rocked Bobcat pitching in the bottom of the inning. The Eagles scored 11 times on six hits and the first seven batters crossed the plate successfully.
Dubbert started off the second game with her second game opening double on the afternoon. A single by Brown brought Dubbert around to score the first run. Brown then took second on a stolen base and Peach lined a double to left field that scored Brown. Mason reached on a fielding error and moved to third on two passed balls.
She crossed the plate on a Cassy Donaldson single, Mallory Wolf drew a walk and Micaiah Stemple smashed a triple to center field to clear the bases as the lead vaulted to 7-0. The Eagles added four more runs in the inning to take an 11-0 lead.
KSU Tusc added five more tallies in the second inning and four more in the third as Mason blasted a two-run homer that not only cleared the right-centerfield fence, but the ball landed halfway down the embankment about 10 yards from the fence. It was Mason's first collegiate homerun and the Golden Eagles led 20-1.
The Eagles added eight more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning drawing six walks and banging out four singles.
Donaldson led the Eagles with a perfect 4/4 showing in the box, smacking two doubles and two singles and four RBIs. Peach was 3/3 with two doubles and a single and three RBIs. Brown was 3/4 with three singles and three RBIs and Stemple was 3/5 with a triple, double and a single and four RBIs. Also collecting multiple hits were Mason with a four-bagger, a single and four RBIs, and Hughes had two singles. Lilli Peterson added a triple.
Mallory Wolf was the winning pitcher and allowed just three Bobcat hits, as she fanned five batters and walking one.
Micaiah Stemple had a four-hit, six-RBI day versus BSC.
Desssa Dubbert throws out a BSC runner after a bunt attempt.
Harley Mason celebrates hitting her first collegiate homer.
Photos by Rob Brindley