West Chester Softball Splits On Final Day In Florida

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

CLERMONT, Fla. – West Chester got a complete-game win from Katie Erb in a 7-3 win over Northern State on Friday, but dropped a 4-3 decision at the hands of Tiffin to close out its 14-game slate down south at the Dot Richardson Spring Games Friday.
 
West Chester (10-4) will return home after reaching double digits in wins on the week-long trip.
 
Erb (4-0) surrendered three runs on 11 hits in seven innings of work to remain unbeaten on the year inside the circle. She walked one and struck out two.
 
Erin Whitman finished the day 2-for-4 with three RBI, including a two-run triple in the first that helped stake West Chester to a 3-0 lead. Whitman hit .455 for the week (20-for-44) with four doubles, four triples and one home run. She knocked in 14 runs as well. Janessa Rios finished 2-for-3 with a triple in the win as well. Sarah Derstine was 3-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI.
 
The top three hitters in West Chester's order combined to go 7-for-11 with five RBI.
 
In the nightcap, West Chester scored two unearned runs in the top of the seventh, but left the game-tying run at second base as Tiffin held on for a 4-3 win.
 
Laura Altenburger hit a two-run single in the seventh that drew the Golden Rams within a run. She finished the day 2-for-4. Sarah Walasavage hit a RBI double in the fifth for her team-leading 16th RBI on the season.
 
Brooke Harner (3-3) suffered the loss inside the circle, going four innings and allowing three runs on five hits. She struck out five and did not walk a batter. Amanda Houck came on and pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on two hits. She walked three and struck out two.
 
West Chester will travel to Wilmington, Del. for its first games up north on Wednesday.