Lady Warriors split double header against MidAmerica Nazarene

Sterling College softball split with MidAmerica Nazarene University on Saturday, March 8 in a double header at Olathe, Kan.

Game 1

The Lady Warriors lost the first game 2-0 and all MidAmerica Nazarene with both scores coming in the first inning.

Sterling was able to get more bats on the ball than the Pioneers but were unable to capitalize on the advantage. Mariah Cunningham, Kelly Hirlas and Mallory Seidel each had two hits on the game.

MacKenzie Viehland started in the circle for the Lady Warriors, she faced 26 batters, throwing 57 strikes on 78 pitches. She surrendered six hits which resulted in two runs (one earned) while walking none and striking out three.

The Lady Warriors struggled against the Pioneers pitcher, Brie Manwarren. She faced 29 batters, surrendering seven hits, walking one and recording nine strikeouts.

MNU's Alli VanLanker was the only player on either team to record an RBI in the defensive showdown between two dominant teams.

Game 2

Sterling turned it around in the second game, coming away with a 7-1 win over MidAmerica Nazarene.

The game got off to a slow start with all of the scoring coming in the final two innings of play. Sterling started it off with a single-run home run from Desiree Perales in the top of the sixth inning. Waller and Seidel took advantage of an error to get themselves home and take the 3-0 lead.

The Pioneers answered back in the bottom of the sixth with a single-run homer of their own from Kelly Stoakes to make the score 3-1 headed into the final inning.

However, Sterling put up big numbers in top of the third when Waller got walked to advance Hirlas to home and Madilynn Green his a double to right center for the three-run RBI to put the game out of reach at 7-1.

Allie Olivarria was painting the corners for the Lady Warriors pitching all seven innings, facing 26 batters and throwing 59 strikes on 88 pitches. She surrendered five hits, resulting in one run, walking none and striking out three batters.

The Lady Warriors (12-7) will kick off their conference season at Kansas Wesleyan University (7-9) in a double header on Tuesday, March 11.

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Ahletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.