Softball Snags First GPAC Win

CRETE, Neb. – Doane scored in four different innings and used a five-run sixth inning to pull away for a 9-4 win over Hastings in the first game of a GPAC softball doubleheader on Tuesday at the Doane Ballfield Complex.

The Tigers moved to 14-12 overall and 1-2 in GPAC play, while Hastings dropped to 9-11 overall and 0-3 in the conference.

Hastings struck first in the top of the second inning. Lauren Lee singled, Kaylee Pinneo doubled to left center and Ana Medeiros followed with a two-run single to right center for a 2-0 Broncos lead.

Doane answered in the bottom of the third. Hannah Pack led off with a bunt single, stole second and moved to third on a single by Jacqueline Ordonez. Faith McDonald then grounded into a double play, but Pack crossed the plate on the play to trim the deficit to 2-1.

The Tigers took the lead in the fourth. Addison Parsons opened the inning with a double to left and Lilly Lewis came on to run for her. After Evelyn Iniguez was hit by a pitch and Katelyn Hays sent Lewis to third with a fly out, Milannie Gonzalez ripped a two-run triple down the right field line to put Doane in front. Pack followed with an RBI bunt single to make it 4-2.

Hastings threatened again in the sixth, loading the bases with no outs against Trinity Robinson. After a walk filled the bases, Natalie Ascencio entered in relief. Pinneo singled home two runs, tying the game at 4-4, but Ascencio limited the damage and kept the game tied.

Doane responded emphatically in the bottom half of the inning. Ciara Hudson led off the frame with a solo home run down the left field line to break the tie. Gonzalez later reached on an error and Pack drove her in with an RBI double to right center. Jeryn Allen followed with an RBI double to left, Ordonez added an RBI double to left center and McDonald capped the scoring with an RBI single to right center as the Tigers pushed across five runs for a 9-4 advantage.

Ascencio shut the door in the seventh, retiring Hastings after issuing a one-out walk to secure the victory.

Doane finished with 13 hits in the win. Pack went 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Ordonez was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Parsons added two hits, Iniguez had two hits and two runs scored, and Gonzalez delivered a triple and two RBI. Hudson's seventh home run of the season highlighted her two-run day, and Allen doubled in a run during the sixth-inning outburst.

Robinson worked five-plus innings in the start, allowing four runs, three earned, on five hits. Ascencio earned the win in relief after tossing the final two innings and allowing just two hits and one walk.

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