University of St. Thomas Athletics
Sunday, April 14
St. Paul, Minn.
11:00 a.m. Central
10
vs
3
North Dakota
Players Mentioned
C/UT
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C/UT
/ SoftballP/UT
/ Softball
SS
/ Softball
2B/SS
/ SoftballC
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballOF/SS
/ Softball
Photo by: Abby Bondi
Eight run inning propels softball to Summie League series win
4/14/2024 2:53:00 PM | Softball
Avery Wukawitz’s grand slam put the exclamation point on an eight run sixth inning for the Tommies to down North Dakota 10-3 in the series finale.
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of St. Thomas Softball team (11-31, 5-7 Summit League) defeated the University North Dakota Fighting Hawks (8-36, 2-7 Summit League) with a late game surge in the sixth inning. Christina Crawford pitched a complete game, as the Tommies won the home series against the Fighting Hawks, her third complete game victory of the week.
GAME RECAP
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, North Dakota broke the deadlock by putting up one run in the top of the second. The Fighting Hawks' effort was quickly matched by the Tommies, who responded with a run of their own. With two Tommie players on base after a pair of walks, Maddie Grad stepped up and delivered a clutch double down the right field line, allowing Abbi Stierlen to score, knotting the game at one apiece.
North Dakota opened the third inning by taking back the lead, scoring one run on one hit. The Tommies left the third inning down one run.
In the fourth inning, both teams played perfect defensively, going three up and three down without allowing any scoring opportunities. However, North Dakota managed to add one more run in the fifth inning, expanding their lead to two.
St. Thomas responded in the bottom of the fifth. Kaitlyn Raymond's hit advanced Avery Wukawitz to third base, putting runners on the corners. With Lienhard up to bat, Raymond found herself in a pickle after attempting a steal of second, but her strategic move allowed Wukawitz to run home with some heads up baserunning, narrowing the lead.
Following a flawless one-two-three inning from Crawford, the St. Thomas offense ignited in the sixth inning. Laken Lienhard kicked off the inning by barreling a lead-off double, setting the stage for a long rally. Klein's walk put runners on first and second, setting the scene for Cassidy Carby's perfect sacrifice bunt, advancing both runners. Abbi Stierlen then connected with a hard-hit ball to the shortstop, allowing pinch runner Ruby Moore to speed home, marking the first run of the inning.
With a runner on third, Kameron Monson walked, paving the way for Maddie Grad to come through once again for the Tommies. Grad's single brought Klein home, propelling St. Thomas to a one-run lead. Sydney Mickett demonstrated patience at the plate, earning a full-count walk, loading the bases for Avery Wukawitz. Wukawitz seized the opportunity, launching a no-doubt grand slam to deep left field, catapulting the Tommies ahead by five runs.
With the bases cleared, St. Thomas refused to let up. Following a walk from Raymond, Laken Lienhard delivered, yet again, with a two-out double, bringing Raymond home for the ninth St. Thomas run of the game. Even with seven runs already scored in the inning, the Tommies weren't finished. With Lienhard in scoring position, Morgan Klein smashed a line drive to right-center field, adding the eighth and final run of the inning to the Tommies' tally.
In the final frame, Christina Crawford finished her complete game, allowing just one opposing player to reach base in the inning. Avery Wukawitz, known for her defensive abilities, made a spectacular catch at the center field wall for the second time in the game. This catch secured the final out, sealing the win and the series for the Tommies.
UP NEXT
The Tommies continue their homestand with a three game series against the South Dakota Coyotes, a double header on Saturday, April 20th at noon and game three on Sunday, April 21st at 11:00 a.m.
GAME RECAP
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, North Dakota broke the deadlock by putting up one run in the top of the second. The Fighting Hawks' effort was quickly matched by the Tommies, who responded with a run of their own. With two Tommie players on base after a pair of walks, Maddie Grad stepped up and delivered a clutch double down the right field line, allowing Abbi Stierlen to score, knotting the game at one apiece.
North Dakota opened the third inning by taking back the lead, scoring one run on one hit. The Tommies left the third inning down one run.
In the fourth inning, both teams played perfect defensively, going three up and three down without allowing any scoring opportunities. However, North Dakota managed to add one more run in the fifth inning, expanding their lead to two.
St. Thomas responded in the bottom of the fifth. Kaitlyn Raymond's hit advanced Avery Wukawitz to third base, putting runners on the corners. With Lienhard up to bat, Raymond found herself in a pickle after attempting a steal of second, but her strategic move allowed Wukawitz to run home with some heads up baserunning, narrowing the lead.
Following a flawless one-two-three inning from Crawford, the St. Thomas offense ignited in the sixth inning. Laken Lienhard kicked off the inning by barreling a lead-off double, setting the stage for a long rally. Klein's walk put runners on first and second, setting the scene for Cassidy Carby's perfect sacrifice bunt, advancing both runners. Abbi Stierlen then connected with a hard-hit ball to the shortstop, allowing pinch runner Ruby Moore to speed home, marking the first run of the inning.
With a runner on third, Kameron Monson walked, paving the way for Maddie Grad to come through once again for the Tommies. Grad's single brought Klein home, propelling St. Thomas to a one-run lead. Sydney Mickett demonstrated patience at the plate, earning a full-count walk, loading the bases for Avery Wukawitz. Wukawitz seized the opportunity, launching a no-doubt grand slam to deep left field, catapulting the Tommies ahead by five runs.
With the bases cleared, St. Thomas refused to let up. Following a walk from Raymond, Laken Lienhard delivered, yet again, with a two-out double, bringing Raymond home for the ninth St. Thomas run of the game. Even with seven runs already scored in the inning, the Tommies weren't finished. With Lienhard in scoring position, Morgan Klein smashed a line drive to right-center field, adding the eighth and final run of the inning to the Tommies' tally.
In the final frame, Christina Crawford finished her complete game, allowing just one opposing player to reach base in the inning. Avery Wukawitz, known for her defensive abilities, made a spectacular catch at the center field wall for the second time in the game. This catch secured the final out, sealing the win and the series for the Tommies.
UP NEXT
The Tommies continue their homestand with a three game series against the South Dakota Coyotes, a double header on Saturday, April 20th at noon and game three on Sunday, April 21st at 11:00 a.m.
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