Sioux City, Iowa — Dordt and Briar Cliff faced off in a game that came down to the final inning, as the Chargers defeated the Defenders 4-3.
Briar Cliff scored three of their four runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning, using three hits and an error to jump out to an early lead. The leadoff batter was walked and Aubrey Chichurka hit a bunt single to start the inning. The Defenders got an out, but both runners advanced into scoring position. Briar Cliff went up 1-0 on a passed ball and later scored two on Josie Chronic’s double to left field.
Dordt earned two runs back in the top of the 3rd, which was sparked by a leadoff double for Emma Veenstra. Later in the inning, Kenzie Cunard hit a two-out home run to left field, making the score 3-2.
The Defenders tied the game in the top of the 6th on two hits. Kenzie Cunard doubled, which was followed by a hit batter. In the next at bat, Rachel Evavold hit a double that scored Cunard and advanced Jessica Oules to third. Briar Cliff’s Mailee Jensen was able to get out of the inning, however, leaving two runners on base.
Briar Cliff was set up well in the bottom of the 7th, with their leadoff hitter reaching on an error and advancing on a sacrifice bunt. Kennedy Andersen then hit the game-winning RBI single to help the Chargers earn the walk-off win.
Kenzie Cunard went 2-3 with a home run and RBI double
Rachel Evavold had 1 RBI on 1-3 batting
Emma Veenstra scored 1 run
Dordt and Briar Cliff played in the second game of Tuesday’s doubleheader with the Chargers scoring three runs in the middle innings to earn the win.
Each of the first three Dordt batters hit a single, allowing the Defenders to take an early 1-0 lead. With Kenzie Cunard and Jessica Oules on base, Rachel Evavold singled to center field to score Cunard.
Briar Cliff answered in the home half of the 1st as Callie Billings scored off of Alexis Westercamp’s RBI double to left.
The Chargers then took their first lead of the game in the 2nd inning, scoring on Josie Chronic’s two-out base hit.
With one out in the top of the 3rd, Rachel Evavold hit a single, which was followed by Bailey Jonker’s pinch-hit RBI double to deep center field. It was Jonker’s first RBI of the season.
With the score tied 2-2 in the 5th inning, Briar Cliff sent two runs across home plate, highlighted by Alexis Westercamp’s two-run home run.
The Chargers added another run to their lead in the bottom of the 6th while keeping the Defenders from scoring again, giving Briar Cliff their 21st win of the season.
Rachel Evavold went 2-4 with 1 RBI and a run scored
Bailey Jonker had 1 RBI in her pinch-hitting opportunity
Jessica Oules had 2 hits
The Defenders will host Waldorf at Open Space Park Wednesday, April 28. The non-conference doubleheader is scheduled for 4:00 and 6:00 pm
