Lady Warriors get first win of the season in Branson Bash Classic

By GameChanger Media 

Game 1 vs. Bellevue 

Even though Sterling College Warriors collected nine hits to Bellevue's eight, they still fell 5-3 on Friday, Feb. 7. Kelly Hirlas and Mariah Cunningham each collected three hits for the Lady Warriors. 

Bellevue got on the board in the first inning after Atiana Rodriguez hit a solo home run to left field. 

Bellevue added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning after Mariah Unverzagt singled to center field, Miranda Garcia doubled to center field and Kaitlyn Fisher singled down the left field line, each scoring one run. 

Allie Olivarria opened the game for Sterling College Warriors. The right-handed pitcher surrendered eight hits and five runs over six innings, striking out four and walking four. Katie Cunningham started in the circle for Bellevue. The hurler surrendered six hits and three runs over five innings, striking out five and walking one. 

Mariah Cunningham, Mallory Seidel, and Mary Casillas each drove in one run for Sterling and turned two double plays in the game. 

Game 2 vs. Central Methodist 

The Sterling College Warriors' effort to come back from down five runs in the sixth inning came up just short, as they fell 9-7 to Central Methodist University on Friday, Feb. 7.  

A single by Aiyana Campos on the sixth pitch of the at-bat put the Lady Warriors on the board in the bottom of the first. 

Central Methodist University jumped back into the lead in the top of the fourth inning after Madison Roberts homered to center field, and Isabella Proctor to center field, each scoring one run. 

The Eagles scored three runs in the top of the sixth on a home run to right field by Kaysie Jolley on an 0-2 count. 

Sterling scored one run in the bottom of the seventh on a solo home run to left field by Phoebi Waller on a full count. 

Casillas pitched three and two-thirds innings in relief for the Lady Warriors. The hurler gave up five hits and three runs while striking out two and walking two. Kassedy Midgley stepped in the circle first for Sterling. The starting pitcher gave up four hits and two runs over two and one-third innings, striking out none and walking none.  

Haley Cotter led things off in the circle for Central Methodist University. The hurler gave up five hits and one run (zero earned) over four innings, striking out two and walking none. 

Sterling College Warriors collected 13 hits in the game. Desiree Perales drove the middle of the lineup, leading Sterling with two runs batted in. The second baseman went 2-for-4 on the day. Madi Green, Perales, Seidel and Campos each collected two hits. The Lady Warriors stole four bases in the game and proved to be sure handed in the field, not committing a single error throughout the contest. Perales made the most plays with seven. 

Game 3 vs. Judson 

The Sterling College Warriors could not keep pace with Judson University Eagles 9-4 on Saturday. Judson University Eagles opened the scoring in the first after Braly Wiser doubled, scoring two runs. 

A tag up by Nikki Letzkus extended the Judson University Eagles lead to 3-0 in the top of the third inning. 

The Eagles scored six runs on three hits in the top of the fourth inning. Cynthia Avillar singled, scoring one run, Wiser, singled, scoring one run, Madelynn Petty, singled, scoring one run, and Annie Saran singled, scoring two runs. 

Casillas opened the game for Lady Warriors. The pitcher gave up eight hits and nine runs (five earned) over three and two-thirds innings, striking out two and walking five. Abigael Marines stepped in the circle first for Judson. The starting pitcher gave up six hits and two runs over four innings, striking out three and walking one. 

Perales and Campos were tough to handle back-to-back in the lineup, as each drove in one run for Sterling. Hirlas went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Lady Warriors in hits. Bryley Westfahl collected two hits in four at bats. Perales and Westfahl each stole multiple bases as the team ran wild on the base paths, accumulating 10 stolen bases for the game. 

Judson University Eagles had patience at the plate, collecting six walks for the game they also ran wild on the base paths, tallying four stolen bases for the game. 

Game 4 vs. Graceland 

Perales went four for four at bat on Saturday, Feb. 8 as she helped lead Sterling to their first win of the season, a 12-1 stomping of Graceland University. Perales hit a home run to left field in the fifth inning, singled in the first inning, singled in the third inning, and singled in the fourth inning. 

Graceland opened the scoring in the first after Aliyah Ferrell singled, scoring one run. 

The Sterling College Warriors captured the lead, 2-1, in the top of the second after the Hornets committed an error, and Madi Green grounded into a fielder's choice, each scoring one run. 

The Lady Warriors added to their early lead in the top of the third inning when Campos doubled, scoring one run, and Hirlas singled, scoring two runs. 

They continued to add to their lead with three runs in the top of the fifth inning thanks to home runs by Mya' Dunn and Perales. 

Olivarria led things off in the circle for Sterling College Warriors. The starter gave up two hits and one run over five innings, striking out two and walking three. Paige Pialet led things off in the circle for Graceland. The starter surrendered 12 hits and nine runs (six earned) over three and one-third innings, striking out one and walking one. 

Sterling amassed 16 hits in the game. Hirlas provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the Lady Warriors with four runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 3-for-3 on the day. Seidel and Westfahl each collected multiple hits for Sterling. Seidel stole two bases. Sterling College Warriors ran wild on the base paths, piling up five stolen bases for the game. The Sterling College Warriors were sure-handed and didn't commit a single error. Green made the most plays with four. 

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