Sterling splits with Oklahoma Wesleyan

Sterling College softball traveled down to Bartlesville, Okla. to face Oklahoma Wesleyan University in a doubleheader on Friday, April 19. The Lady Warriors won the first game 11-4 and lost the second 8-2.

Game 1

Sterling came out swinging in game one and had a strong defensive showing to come away with an 11-4 victory.

The Lady Warriors struck first in the top of the first inning with a single to left center field from Aiyana Campos to bring home Mariah Cunningham and Bryley Westfahl to put Sterling up 2-0.

Desiree Perales increased Sterling's lead with a three-run homer in the top of the third bringing home Kelly Hirlas and Cunningham.

Oklahoma Wesleyan got on the board in the bottom of the fifth with a single up the middle form Maddy Wiese to bat in two RBIs, closing the gap to 5-2.

Sterling answered back with another three-run homer, this time from Cunningham to bring home Westfahl and Waller. Campos added to the lead with a single to left center field to bring home Perales making it 9-2

The Eagles added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to close the gap to 9-4.

In the top of the seventh, Cunningham singled up the middle to bring Westfahl home for the score and Perales returned the favor with a single to left field to bring home Cunningham and give the Lady Warriors the ultimate 11-4 victory.

MacKenzie Viehland led the Lady Warriors from the center circle. She pitched all seven innings, facing 37 batters, surrendering eight hits, which resulted in four runs (three earned) and walked five batters.

Cunningham and Perales led Sterling in RBIs with four each.

Game 2

The Lady Warriors battled in game two but came up short with the Eagles having a big four-run inning in the bottom of the sixth.

Sterling struck first in the top of the first when Cunningham took advantage of a walk from Campos to steal home.

However, the Eagles answered back quickly with a one-run homer from Raegan Rector in the bottom of first which was later complimented with a single to right field from Abby Huie to put OKWU up 2-1.

Oklahoma Wesleyan extended their lead in the bottom of the second with two more runs to give the Eagles a 4-1 edge.

The Lady Warriors tried to get a comeback going in the top of the third when Hirlas grounded out to bring in Cunningham for the run, but Sterling was unable to bring in any more scores.

The Eagles put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth inning, sealing the deal with four more runs to give them the 8-2 win.

Allie Olivarria led Sterling from the center circle, pitching six innings and facing 32 batters. The hurler surrendered 15 hits which resulted in eight runs with no walks on the day.

Hirlas and Campos led the Lady Warriors in RBIs with one, while Cunningham recorded a double and a triple with a stolen base in the mix.

Sterling will be back in action on Tuesday, April 22 against York University in York, Neb.

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.