Sorensen's fifth career no-hitter powers Henderson to a Sunday split with NWOSU
April 23, 2017
GAME ONE:
Henderson State's Michelle Sorensen threw her second no-hitter of the season, and the fifth of her career, to lead the Reddies to a 3-0 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State in game one of Sunday's doubleheader at Dee White Field.
The Reddies struck early, scoring first on a sac fly to left field from Selena Mendoza, which scored Bethany Allen from third, and then tacking on two more on a double from Ashleigh Erb, which scored Alexis Morton and Courtney Warren, to grab a 3-0 lead.
From that point forward, the Reddies never scored again, but the three runs were more than enough for Sorensen, who made quick work of the Lady Ranger hitters all afternoon, retiring 12 batters straight to start the game before finally walking two in the fourth.
Though the two baserunners ended the perfect game, they had no effect on Sorensen, who then sat down the final seven batters of the contest, in order, to complete the no-hitter and give HSU the 3-0 win. Sorensen was untouchable all game and picked up her 14th win of the year by striking out seven while walking two in seven innings of work. Her five career no-hitters is the most by any pitcher in Great American Conference history.
Bethany Allen led Henderson offensively, going 2-for-3 and scoring a run.
GAME TWO:
Northwestern Oklahoma State used a big fourth inning to get past Henderson State 3-1 in Sunday's second game in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
The Reddies jumped in front first for the second game in a row, getting a run from Bethany Allen on a deep fly out to left field from Olivia Trapp to take a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Rangers got things going in the fourth, when, with a runner on first, a Reddies outfield error on a single from Macy Madewell allowed the run to score from first and Madewell to get to third base, tying things 1-1. It looked like HSU would come away without further damage after securing the next two outs on a ground out and a fielder's choice, but after a HBP and a passed ball allowed runners to move to second and third, Brittany Corrales doubled to score them both and make it 3-1 NWOSU.
Henderson had a chance to rally in the bottom of the seventh, when Ashleigh Erb singled and Keirsten Seahorn reached second on an error by the NWOSU third baseman to put runners on second and third with no outs, but Lady Rangers' pitcher Karley Murray got the next three batters to strike out, fly out and pop out to get out of the jam and win it for NWOSU, 3-1.
Murray made life difficult for the Reddies all afternoon and did not allow an HSU hit until Erb's single in the seventh. Sydney Bonner got the loss for Henderson, but went seven innings and allowed three runs on just five hits. Allen scored HSU's lone run, while Erb provided the only hit in defeat.
Sunday's results move the Reddies to 21-29 overall and 15-23 in GAC play. The two teams will play a second doubleheader tomorrow at Dee White Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 10 a.m.
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