DePauw swept Franklin College on Friday 5-1, 8-6, but fought with everything they had to defeat Wooster College in their doubleheader on Saturday. The Tigers came out on top winning 3-1, 3-2, remaining undefeated in the NCAC conference.
The Tigers were caught off guard in Saturday's play against Wooster. The Tigers stepped up to the plate ready to swing, but Wooster slowed the women down.
"We were overly aggressive," head coach Erica Hanrahan said. "We had to rein ourselves back in to get it done. It took us some adjusting in each game because our mentality is to be aggressive hitters."
The Tigers were held until the fifth inning where they were down by one run when freshman Sammi Bell led off with a double to right center and junior pinch-runner Megan Landahl moved to third on junior Jamie Story's sacrifice. Senior Kate Hendrickson tied the game at 1-1 when her grounder plated Landahl.
In the seventh each team got two runners on base, but were unable to finish through with a run to conclude the game. The women went into 10 innings where the Tigers were able to pull through and clench the victory.
Senior Amy Hallet's two-run homer led the Tigers to victory over Wooster.
"It just happened and something that I tried for," Hallet said. "I didn't care that the ball went over the fence I knew I scored and helped us win the game."
Sophomore Jen Ridge doubled down the inner field line to get on base while Hallet followed up with her homer to bring them both home.
In the second game, Wooster again took the lead, but DePauw came right back scoring one run to even the score in the bottom of the first. Hallet scored off of freshman Linsey Button's single.
The Wooster Fighting Scots scored a second time in the third regaining the lead. Freshman Morgan Pigusch tied the score at 2-2 off of junior Lauren Krumwiede's bunt. In the final inning of the game Hallet took a big swing hitting a double to the right and moved to third on freshman Haleigh Chasteen's groundball. Button then hit bringing Hallet in to win the game 3-2.
Hallet in to win the game 3-2.
The Tigers started off both games a little shaky, but were able to get back in it as a team to pull out the win.
"We started both games with errors that weren't typical of our team," Hallet said. "We came together offensively which helped [us get back in it]. We were able to come back from it. We were able to pick ourselves up and clean up our act."
Pitchers senior Emily Bichler and sophomore Kahla Nolan hit their spots to help the team stay in the game to execute their offense.
The Tigers will face Wittenberg University to qualify for the NCAC tournament on Wednesday, April 17.
The team's goal is to defeat Wittenberg to make it in the top four to go to the tournament.
"We want to clench a spot in that top four," Hanarahn said. "We're in a good spot, but it's not enough. It's in our hands to defeat Wittenberg to get that first birth."