With the way the Wayne State softball pitchers have been ruling the game lately, they haven’t had a need for much run support from the offense. But that didn’t stop Rachel Spaccarotelli from delivering the runs anyway.
Spaccarotelli belted three home runs in the second game of an April 6 doubleheader at Hillsdale, scoring more than her opponents did over the next four games. Her stat line at the end of her three-homer game was off the charts: 3-for-3 at the plate, three home runs, three runs scored and five RBIs.
The Warriors continued their winning ways defeating the Hillsdale Chargers 4-0 and 9-1, and grabbed a pair of wins in a doubleheader against the Ashland Eagles 3-1 and 5-0.
WSU traveled to Hillsdale to play the second doubleheader against the Chargers in four days.
Due to the reduced stress on the arm of the pitchers, the quick turn around means an ace can be seen as many as four times in such a series. This was the second doubleheader the teams played against each other in four days.
“It’s a little unfortunate. Due to the way softball pitchers work it means they can see the same girl a lot.” Coach Gary Bryce said. “They get used to what she’s good at and not so good at.”
However, the quick turn around granted little change to the results as the Warriors took both games while allowing only a single run in both contests.
Pitcher Casey Hanes pitched a nearly flawless first game giving up only three singles all game and striking out 10 on the way to a 4-0 victory.
A solo home run from third baseman Rebecca Stanley in the top of the first would prove the decisive blow as the Warrior defense closed up shop for the remaining seven innings.
In total the Warriors would drive five balls deep against Hillsdale, and never see ace Hanes in the second game as sophomore Sam Cain went the distance while allowing only a single run in a six innings of work.
The team kept their momentum going with in the doubleheader sweep over Ashland University. Hanes made the start and had a strong game.
Early on though, she got into a little trouble. Ashland had a runner reach third with less than one out in the top of the second. Hanes kept her composure and was able to pitch out of the jam.
The Warriors kept the bats going in the fifth inning as they tacked on an extra run for a little breathing room. Becca Ryan was able to shoot an RBI single up the middle to give her team a two run lead. Overall, Casey Hanes went the distance once again and struck out Ashland hitters 11 times and only gave up five hits.
Hanes felt she finished the game off strong.
“I was a little shaky early, but as the game went on, I was able to settle in and get outs. For me, as the games go on, I get stronger and feel a lot better when making my pitches,” Hanes said.
In game 2, the Hanes was even more impressive. She started the game, but this time, she didn’t have the shaky start. She was strong from start to finish.
Despite throwing 133 pitches in game one, Hanes looked sharp and was even more efficient in game two by only throwing 94 pitches and only allowing two hits.
“I felt great in the second game and thought we did a really good job of taking care of business,” Hanes said.
The Warriors were able to get a big day from Spaccarotelli once again as she went 3-3 with three RBIs.
The Warriors felt they needed to win both games against Ashland
“If we came in today and only had a split with them, it would have been a little disappointing because they beat us twice at their place,” Bryce said. “So we felt we owed them two here at our place. It was important to win both games and we did.”
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