[Softball] Spracklen reaches 200 strikeouts, hits game-winning home in Softball Falcons sweep ...
WICHITA, Kan. – Friends University senior Laila Spracklen (SR/San Diego, Calif. ) continues to make waves as an elite two-way contributor, with tonight the San Diego, Calif. recording her 200th strikeout and second save of the season immediately after launching a game-winning, three-run homer to lift the Falcons to a 3-2 victory and a sweep over the Avila University Eagles in their regular season finale at Two Rivers Youth Complex. The Falcons rocked the Eagles 10-1 in the first matchup of the day.
The Eagles led 2-0 behind a stout pitching performance from Chaunelle Penn, who shutout the Falcons through the first five innings of the nightcap.
But a leadoff single by Vanessa Sigala (JR/Carson, Calif. ) and great plate discipline from Fallyn Marshall (JR/Syracuse, Utah) to work a one-out walk from down 0-2 in the count set the stage for Spracklen's heroics.
She then came through in the clutch with the game on the line, hitting a two-out, three-run blast to right field to suddenly put the Falcons ahead.
Spracklen wasn't done having a hand in the win, as she came on in the seventh and struck out two to notch her 200th strikeout of the season while sitting the Eagles down in order to pick up her second save of the season.
Isabelle Schwien (JR/Denver, Colo. ) was solid starting for the Falcons in the second game, going six innings and giving up just two earned runs to earn her 14th win of the season.
Maya Richards had an RBI single for Avila (29-18, 16-8 KCAC) in the second inning and Stephanie Hayes doubled home a run in the third.
Becca Dunn (SO/Jurupa Valley, Calif. ) was the hero of the opening tilt for the Falcons, clearing the bases with a three-run double to snap a 1-1 gridlock and put the Falcons on top to stay in the third.
After Aleigha Gale (JR/Winfield, Kan. ) tripled home two runs to finish a decisive eight run third frame for the Falcons, Dunn unloaded on a two-run homer in the fourth to put the ultimate exclamation point on the victory.
Priscilla Mora (SO/Beaumont, Calif. ) also drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game in the third, with Sigala and Marshall each driving in a run in the Falcons' explosion.
Spracklen won for the 17th time, giving up just one run while striking out nine and walking none.
"What a great day to be on the pitching staff at Friends!" said softball head coach Suzanne Unruh. "Two great pitchers on the mound in game one and game two and then Laila coming up clutch in in the second game at the plate. I'm so proud of our whole team! Solid defense, timely hitting and a dugout with endless energy."
Marshall went 3-of-3 with a pair of runs scored in the opening game victory, while Alex Vick (FR/San Antonio, Texas), Carolyn Dallimore (SR/Patterson, Calif. ), Jayden Estabrook (SO/Tracy, Calif. ) and Tate Tilley-Bedick (SR/Cashion, Okla. ) each crossed the plate for Friends.
The Falcons, the defending KCAC tournament champions, are now 32-10 overall and 20-4 in the KCAC and will be the second seed in the upcoming postseason tourney, set for next week (May 3-5) in Great Bend, Kan. Opponents and game times will be announced soon.
"I think tonight's wins are a great way to roll into the conference tournament next week," said Unruh.