WARRIORS WRAP UP FIRST DAY OF FASTPITCH DREAMS CLASSIC

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Warriors wrapped up their first day of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in Myrtle Beach, falling in their first three games. After a tough first outing, RCU put up a solid fight late in the second game, thanks to a big hit by newcomer Katie Witkowski. Rachael Winkel led RCU's pitchers with six strikeouts across the three games. 

FIRST GAME VS. MALONE - L, 11-0 - SIX INNINGS

The Warriors found themselves in a tough position early, with Malone taking a 5-0 lead in the first inning, logging two big hits right out the gate to set up an early advantage on RCU. At bat, the Warriors couldn't get much going until a single by Winkel in the second inning. The Warriors held Malone scoreless for four consecutive innings despite the offensive woes, thanks to very strong fielding play by the Warriors. In the fourth inning, RCU got a big double play from Jaya Forti, who tagged third and zipped the ball to first to end the inning. 

RCU continued the strong defensive play until the sixth inning, where a few breaks for Malone put the Warriors in a tough position. RCU allowed six more runs in the inning before things wrapped up. 

SECOND GAME VS. WEST VIRGINIA STATE - L, 2-4 - SEVEN INNINGS

After a slow start by RCU, West Virginia State took a 1-0 lead heading out of the first inning behind an RBI double. However, RCU's defense held strong through the second and third innings with great fielding play by outfielders Ella Hayes and Leah Salisbury. In the fourth inning, West Virginia State added two runs to the lead before scoring again in the fifth inning. 

RCU produced a crucial sixth inning to try and salvage the game, beginning with a huge double by Madelyn Latham to advance Forti to third. With one out, Witkowski produced RCU's biggest hit of the day, placing a single right down the right-field line to score Forti and Latham. RCU's inning ended after two outs following the brief run. In the seventh inning, RCU couldn't close the gap any further, falling 4-2. 

THIRD GAME VS. KENYON COLLEGE - L, 0-8 - FIVE INNINGS

Kenyon opened the game with three runs in the first inning to take the lead on RCU, who couldn't get much going at-bat in the opening innings. In the second inning, RCU had a chance with two runners on, but an unfortunate out prevented the Warriors from scoring. Kenyon College added two more runs in the third inning before scoring three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to put the Warriors away. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors resume the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic on Thursday, Mar. 13. RCU will play their first game at 1 p.m. against Penn State-Scranton. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications