Big performances from the circle for Viehland and Olivarria leads to big wins for Lady Warriors

Sterling College softball had two stellar performances in back-to-back shutouts in a doubleheader against Bethany College on Wednesday, April 2.

Game 1

Game one proved to be a low scoring battle, with the Lady Warriors coming out on top, 3-0.

MacKenzie Viehland started off hot from the mound, with two strikeouts in the top of the first, three in the top of the second and two more in the top of the third. She carried the Warriors defensively, facing 26 batters through seven innings, totaling 11 strikeouts on the day, only allowing three hits while walking zero batters.

Sterling's defensive intensity was soon matched on the offensive end with the Lady Warriors getting their first score in the bottom of the first with a single up the middle from Aiyana Campos to bring home Desiree Perales to give Sterling the 1-0 lead.

The Lady Warriors were able to extend their lead in the bottom of the fifth with a triple to right field from Mariah Cunningham to bring Bryley Westfahl in for the score. Kelly Hirlas returned the favor with a single through the right side to bring Cunningham home and give Sterling the 3-0 advantage.

Game 2

The second game of the doubleheader saw even more scores from the Lady Warriors and a perfect game from the mound by Allie Olivarria through five innings as Sterling got the 9-0 win.

Olivarria pitched all five innings for the Lady Warriors, facing 15 batters leaving the Swedes baseless with zero hits, zero walks and four strikeouts.

The Lady Warriors offense came out hot in the bottom of the first inning with four scores. Hirlas got things started with a single up the middle to bring home Cunningham and Westfahl. Campos returned the favor with a single to second base to score Hirlas and a single from Maria Casillas brough home Madilynn Green for Sterling's final run of the first inning.

Sterling kept things going in the bottom of the second with a triple from Cunningham to center field to being home Westfahl for another score. Perales brought home Cunningham with a single up the middle to put the Lady Warriors ahead, 6-0.

The game was ultimately put to rest in the bottom of the fourth with three scores coming from the Lady Warriors. It started with a Pheobi Waller getting walked with the bases loaded to bring home Aubrey Martinez, Campos took advantage of the moment to steal home and another walk from Cunningham brought Mya Dunn in for the final run of the game.

Sterling ran wild on the base path with four Lady Warriors stealing two bases each including, Westfahl, Campos, Perales and Cunningham. Cunningham is currently seventh in the nation in stolen bases. She and Hirlas also led Sterling in runs batted in with two each.

The Lady Warriors will be back in action at home against Ottawa University on Tuesday, April 8.

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics 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.