SOFTBALL WRAPS UP FLORIDA TRIP WITH DOUBLEHEADER SWEEP, INCLUDING WIN OVER NO. 20 COASTAL GEORGIA

COCOA BEACH, Fla. – Avila softball ended the Space Coast Games 4-2 and heads back to Kansas City on a three-game winning streak after defeating No. 20 Coastal Georgia, 2-1 and Defiance, 10-2 on Tuesday afternoon.

A strong defensive game from both squads in the opener saw just three combined runs.

In the circle, Faith Heaster threw three innings, allowing the lone earned run of the afternoon, setting her offense up for success.

The game-winning runs were supplied by senior third baseman Stephanie Hayes in the fourth inning.

After a walk from Emily Branson and a single from Abi Beaman, Hayes drove them both in for the eventual game-winning two-RBI double to put Avila ahead 2-1.

Reigning KCAC Pitcher of the Week, McKayla Cotton, relieved Heaster in the fourth inning and threw four strong innings, allowing just one hit.

Coastal Georgia made it interesting in the seventh.

Two singles to open the seventh saw Cotton record a groundout, popup and strikeout to end the game and strand the winning runner on second, giving Avila the 2-1 victory.

Avila's offense woke up in the second end against Defiance College, defeating the Yellow Jackets, 10-2 in six innings.

Avila scored at least one run in all six innings they were up to bat, including single runs in each of the first four innings.

After a pair of runs in the top of the first from Defiance, Avila came back in the bottom half and scored Laila Rueda on a passed ball to cut the lead in half. The Eagles tied it in the second when Emily Collins crossed the plate on an error and Hayes would drive home Beaman in the third to take the lead.

Marissa Sanchez produced an RBI single in the fourth inning, but the fifth is where the Eagles put up their first multi-run frame of the game.

An RBI single form Madison Kelly preceded a run-scoring passed ball for Avila to go up 6-2.

In the sixth, Piper Greeson belted a two-RBI double, followed by another RBI single from Kelly and a walk-off RBI groundout from Maya Richards to finalize the 10-2 victory.

Mackenzie Daniels threw four innings, giving up just four hits and Emily Stalcup recorded her first collegiate save, pitching two shutout innings in the contest. 

Avila improved to 13-10 on the season and heads back to Kansas City ready to host Friends on Saturday. First pitch from The Z is slated for 12 PM.

 (photo credit: Ali Nassir)