The MU Ancilla Softball Team took advantage of some fantastic spring weather and home-field advantage to earn their 1st win of the season in dramatic fashion. Amilla Wojcik was the offensive hero of the day for the Chargers. She started her day in game 1 going 1-2 at the plate and followed it up with a huge performance in game 2 where she went 4-5 at the plate with 2 singles, a triple, and the game-winning 3-run home run in the 7th inning. Amilla scored 4 of the Chargers' 11 runs and also had 5 RBI in game 2.
In the first game of the day, it was Kalamazoo Valley who took control early offensively, scoring 3 runs in the first inning followed by 2 runs in the third inning and 6 runs in the fourth inning while the Chargers could not get their bats going. The game ended in favor of the Cougars by a score of 11-0.
The second game of the day proved to be the most dramatic of the season for MU Ancilla as the teams traded leads throughout the game before Wojcik's late blast gave the Chargers the win. Just like in the first game of the day, it was the Cougards who jumped out early, leading 3-0 after the first inning before adding 4 more runs by the end of the 4th inning which put them ahead by the score of 7-2. However, the Chargers would fight back on the strength of timely hitting and aggressive base running as they clawed their way back into the game.
The Chargers would put 2 runs on the board in the 5th inning to cut the lead to 7-4 and after holding KVCC scoreless in the 6th inning, the Chargers' bats came all the way to life as they put 4 big runs on the board to take an 8-7 lead. The 6th inning was marked by clutch hitting and aggressive base-running. The Chargers threatened to put even more on the board but KVCC came up with a great defensive play to get out of a bases loaded jam to keep the score at just 8-7.
Needing only 3 outs to take their first win of the year, the Chargers defense and pitching played a little bit tight to start the top of the 7th inning which allowed the Cougars to quickly tie the game on a sacrifice fly. KVCC tacked on one more run to take a 9-8 lead before the Chargers were able to escape. MU Ancilla was able to quickly get two runners on base after a walk and a single before KVCC found 2 outs. The stage was set for Amilla Wojcik who stepped to the plate with her team down 9-8 and two runners on base. The battle between the KVCC pitcher and Wojcik reached a 2-2 count. After Wojcik stepped out of the box to take a deep breath and collect herself, she stepped back to the plate and sent the next pitch deep over the left field wall for a 3-run walk-off home run that sent her teammates and the fans into a loud celebration The home run gave the Chargers an 11-9 win, their first win of the season as well as their first MCCAA win.
The Chargers will try to build on the momentum of their dramatic win when they return to action at home on Friday, April 14th when they will host the Lansing Stars.
