SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS: In Game 1 of the final doubleheader of the season, the Hunters had their hands full against a torrid Firebells offense without a weak link in their lineup.
Paloma Beach, starting for Boston, brought her paltry 1.35 ERA to the bump against SF’s fellow lefty Nicki Eckert, who has given up four runs in eight innings of work this season.
Kelsie Whitmore, in the middle of a heated home run race with Denae Benites, made it a little hotter with a solo shot in the top of the first – tying her friend and foe with eight.
The game was even at two going into the top of the second and in the blink of an eye and the crack of Firebell bats, Beach got dinged more than car doors in a crowded parking lot.
Gutierrez earned her first gold chain with an opposite long ball to right – and when it was all said and done – six runs and seven hits were added to the scorecard.
Gigi Schiano came in relief at the top of the third to rein in Matt Williams’ relentless offense – and kept the city by the bay, at bay in the third, fourth and fifth. Boston made some noise against Ela Day Bedard in the bottom of the fifth, plating a pair of runs off Lexi Hastings’ RBI double and Beth Greenwood’s RBI single up the middle – cutting SF’s lead, 8-5.
In the top half of the sixth, with the game within reach, Schiano walked the bases full – and slow rollers, a passed ball, and a line drive eluding Molly Paddison’s glove, scored four runs, giving the Firebells an overkill of unnecessary insurance.
Samantha Gutierrez was Player of the Game, 2-4, scoring two, plating two.
And the broadcast team, which has become the entertaining show within the game, took it up a notch with the funny and informative Sarah Tiana, the comedian/actress adding her sense of baseball and humor to the booth.