COLUMBIA, Ky. - Despite a two-run home run from senior Kayla Boyle and five walks as a team, USCB softball fell to Grand View in the opening round of the Columbia (Ky.) bracket, 10-2, on Monday afternoon at Marilyn D. Sparks Park.
Even though the Sand Sharks lost in the opening game, USCB still has life, as it will face the loser of the No. 1 Lindsey Wilson and No. 4 Saint Xavier on Tuesday afternoon.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Boyle - 1-for-3, two-run home run
Melina Martinez - 2-for-3, one double, one run
Rachel Frankhouser - three walks
USCB - five walks and two stolen bases as a team
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a 1-2-3 inning to start the game, Grand View took advantage with three runs off three hits and an error.Â
USCB started to find a groove in the top of the third, as Frankhouser led off the frame with a walk. After two groundouts, Taylor Boykin drew a walk and moved into scoring position via a stolen base. Boyle tried to capitalize but flew out and left a pair stranded.
After GVU's two-run third inning, USCB had another prime chance to score its first run of the game in the fourth inning. Shania Domingue and Canyon Crosby totaled back-to-back hits to put two Sand Sharks on base. Following a fielder's choice and a strikeout, Frankhouser walked again to force the bases loaded with two outs. Unfortunately, all three Sand Sharks were left stranded.
Down 5-0, the Sand Shark offense came alive in the fifth. Martinez connected with a leadoff double, and following an out, Boyle uncorked on her third home run of the season to right-center field.Â
The Vikings quickly answered in the bottom of the fifth, as they added four runs off four hits to take the 9-2 lead.Â
The Sand Sharks again had a prime chance to score runs in the sixth, as they totaled two hits from Kaitlyn O'Hearn and Martinez. The bases were loaded again for USCB, but the trio was left stranded.
Grand View won the game in the bottom of the sixth, as it plated the game-winning run with one out. The run gave GVU the opening victory, 10-2.Â
RECORDS UPDATE
USCB - 40-12
Grand View - 45-10
WHAT'S NEXT?
USCB will face the loser of No. 1 Lindsey Wilson and No. 4 Saint Xavier on Tuesday, May 14. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m. (central) at Marilyn D. Sparks Park.
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