Sophomore Ella Johel went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double to propel Canisius to a 3-2 victory over IU Indy in its opening game of the USC Upstate Tournament Friday in Spartansburg, S.C.
The Golden Griffins dropped the second game of the day against USC Upstate by an 18-3 margin. Canisius finished opening day at 1-1 on the season, while IU Indy fell to 1-4 and USC Upstate improved to 6-1.
GAME ONE RECAP
After three and a half innings of scoreless softball, Johel notched the first run of the game with a solo homer to center field in the bottom of the fourth to give the Griffs the lead.
Canisius tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to grow their lead to three. An infield single off the bat of senior Emily Ilano scored senior Alyssa Cloutier for the first run of the frame while Bailey Alatorre hit a sac fly later in the inning to bring home Johel, who reached base with a double.
The Jaguars tried to mount a comeback in the top of the seventh, plating two runs off the bat of Isa Waggner, but Canisius was able to hold on to secure the one-run victory.
Sophomore Olivia Manchester got the start in the circle and threw a complete game, striking out five while allowing two runs, both unearned.
GAME TWO RECAP
USC Upstate got off to a quick start in the nightcap, putting up three runs in the bottom of the first. Carson Shaw doubled to bring home two runs followed by an Alanna Deal double to account for the third tally.
The Spartans tacked on five more runs in the bottom of the second, highlighted by a three-run home run off the bat of Abigail Pippen, to extend their lead to 7-0
Canisius cut into the Spartans lead in the top of the third scoring two runs. Ilano reached on an error to bring home Cloutier followed by Johel scoring on a wild pitch to trim the deficit to 7-2.
The Spartans put the game out of reach in the home half of the third, plating nine runs on six hits and a pair of Canisius errors to extend their lead to 17-2.
Johel singled to score Tabitha von Kolen in the top of the fourth to give the Griffs their third run of the contest.
Johnson tacked on another run for USC Upstate in the bottom of the fourth for the final run of the game.
Senior Toria Kover got the start in the circle, throwing 1.1 innings, striking out one and allowing seven runs. Kate Wiggins relieved Kover and threw two-thirds of an inning, surrendering three runs before being relieved by Olivia Herrington who threw three innings, allowing eight runs.
GAME NOTES
• Canisius extends its series lead over IU Indy to 3-0 while falling to 0-4 against USC Upstate.
• Tabitha von Kolen made her collegiate debut in the game against IU Indy.
• Cara Edwards made her collegiate debut in the game against USC Upstate.
• Edwards also recorded her first career hit in the team's second game of the season.
• Manchester struck out a career-high five batters in the win over IU Indy.
• Johel recorded her first career multi-hit game and the home run against IU Indy was the first of her career, as well.
UP NEXT
Canisius returns to action in the USC Upstate Tournament on Saturday, facing off against IU Indy at 11:30 a.m., before closing out the day with a 1:30 p.m. contest versus USC Upstate.
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