SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS: Saturday’s doubleheader nightcap was a little bit of country for the fans and a whole lot of runs for the Queens.
The Illinois State Fair was in full bloom and so were the LA bats, as Eric Young’s tenacious team bounced back from a three game skid, with a vengeance.
Mo’ne Davis found her groove to the tune of two hits, with a run scored and an RBI. Maggie Foxx, with her signature pre-swing pound to the chest, was 3-4, bringing in one – plating one, Amira Hondras 2-5, Ashton Lansdell 2-3, Samaria Benitez chimed in with a pair of hits, driving in two and the young Adelaide Frank, looking like a veteran, went 2-4 bringing two of her teammates to the plate.
And then there was the magnificent Jamie Mackay. A no-doubter as Player of the Game, 3-4, with a solo and two-run homer for a five run batted in night.
Michelle Roche did what her skipper needed her to do. Four innings of three runs on four hits.
Amayi Sato came in for a quick third of an inning in relief – long enough to retire the side in order, fanning a pair, swinging and looking.
The Queens’ trusty reliever Meggie Meidlinger was business as usual, surrendering nothing in the sixth and seventh, picking up a trio of K’s.
Hunter’s starter, Paloma Benach’s night was much better on paper than what appeared on the field. In four innings she allowed six hits, only giving up one earned run of the three that were scored.
In light of their light offensive, and a couple of misplays, Boston did flash some beautiful defense. Molly Paddison’s rocket to second, nailing an aggressive Amira Hondras trying to make a single into an extra base hit, and Benach’s grab of Hondras liner to the box, then quick turn and toss to Suzuka Yakamoto, tagging Benitez at second for an inning ending double play.
On Sunday the Hunters return to the ballpark to try and settle the score in a rubber match with their NY foes.