Softball hosted Brunswick Community College in a doubleheader on Wednesday night out at JP Riddle Complex. Going into the game, softball was 0-18 in conference play, but earned their first conference win against the Dolphins.
FTCC vs. Brunswick:
Game One- 4-0, Win
The Trojans held the Dolphins scoreless for seven innings, scraping four runs together to earn the victory. Albani Hooker (Sanford, NC) threw all seven innings for the Trojans, giving up five hits and striking out one. Hooker also went 3-3 at the plate.
Trinity Gaither (Bunnlevel, NC) and Isabella Finelli (Pembroke, NC) each had two of the Trojans 10 hits.
The Trojans got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning. Jasmine Wagner (Fayetteville, NC) hit a one out single and Raven Ross-Gillespie (West End, NC) went in to pinch and stole second base. With two outs, Alyssa Lauber (Lillington, NC) drew a walk and Hooker singled to load the bases for Gaither who hit a rocket line drive out of reach of the second baseman.
In the fourth, the Trojans plated two more runners. Hooker hit a one out double and advanced to third base on the throw. Gaither earned another RBI with a line drive to center field to score Hooker from third base. Finelli singled on a ground ball up the middle to score Gaither who advanced earlier in the inning on a wild pitch.
The final run of the game was scored in the sixth. Leah Benjamin (McColl, SC) hit an infield single to leadoff the inning. Finelli was hit by pitch and Maddie Burns (Sanford, NC) walked to load the bases. Benjamin stole home to score on a misthrow back to the pitcher.
Game Two- 4-22, Loss (5-innings)
The Dolphins found their bats in game two, taking an early lead scoring six runs in the first. They continued to score in every inning but the second inning with 19 hits to plate their 22 runs.
The Trojans scored one run in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly from Nyla Mitchell (Lumberton, NC) that scored Gaither who reached on a bunt single to leadoff the game.
Two more Trojan runs were scored in the second to put the game within three runs. Wagner reached on an error and Gaither hit a two out single. With runners on second and third, Benjamin and Finelli hit back to back singles each earning an RBI.
The fourth and final run for the Trojans was scored in the fourth. Ross-Gillespie hit a leadoff single and Gaither laid down a sacrifice to move her over. Benjamin singled to put runners on the corners and Finelli earned another RBI with a line drive to left field.
Finelli went 3-3 with two RBIs and Gaither was 2-2 with two runs scored. Benjamin added three hits and one RBI.
Hooker pitched in all five innings, with Mia Vasquez (St. Pauls, NC) making an appearance to face six batters.
The Trojans are back at home on Friday and Sunday with two doubleheaders against Pitt Community College starting at 2pm. Sunday, April 27 will be Sophomore Day and the Trojans will recognize five sophomores who have been a part of the program for the last two seasons. The recognition ceremony will start at 1:30pm. All home games are free admission and played at JP Riddle Complex, 2823 Legion Road.
