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Box Score 2 LEESBURG, Fla. – Coast Guard opened up their spring break trip 2-0 topping North Central 16-2 and New England College 9-8.
The Bears start the season 2-0 for the first time since the 2015 season. The Rams fall to 2-5 while the Pilgrims sit at 2-10.
Coast Guard was led by freshman Charlee Kraiss, who went a combined 4-7 with three RBI's, five runs scored and two doubles. Sophomore Courtney McKenna went 4-6 with three RBI's, four runs scored and a double while classmate Audrey Bartz was 4-8 knocking in two, with two doubles and four runs scored. Senior Emma Hvozdovich and sophomores Kayla Sowers and Kylie Vaverek each had two RBI's as well.
In the opening game, the Bears broke open a 2-0 game in the top of the third scoring five runs. McKenna and Bartz each had RBI's over this stretch while Bartz and senior Casey Cruzpino each scored on wild pitches.
The Bears sealed the game in the top of the six scoring eight runs led by Vavarek's two RBI single and then came around to score on a single by sophomore Carly Hattman.
In game two Coast Guard ran out to an 8-1 lead through four innings before New England College began to mount a comeback in the top of the fifth scoring three runs to cut into the Bears lead.
Coast Guard scored a crucial run in the bottom of the sixth as sophomore Sarah Kemp came on as a pinch runner and came around to score on an error by the pitcher making the score 9-4.
The Pilgrims closed within one in the top of the seventh before sophomore Julia Ferris shut the door striking out the final batter of the game to escape with the 9-8 win.
Ferris (2-0) earned both the wins to start the season pitching a combined eight innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits and striking out 10. Freshman Sydney Arendt earned her first collegiate save in game one as she combined to pitch 3.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits and struck out three. Vavarek pitched 1.2 innings of relief in game two, striking out one and allowing no runs.
Coast Guard is back in action tomorrow as they take on University of New England at 12:00 and FDU Florham at 2:30.
