CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Gallaudet University saw its North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) softball tournament hopes take a hit on Wednesday as the Bison dropped two games to Wilson College. GU lost the first game 6-1 and the second game 9-3 to the Phoenix, who the Bison split with last week in Washington, D.C.

The Bison (12-19-1, 3-9 NEAC) have eight more conference games left in the regular-season to make up ground on Penn St.-Berks (17-7, 11-1 NEAC), Wilson (16-10, 9-3 NEAC) and Penn St.-Abington (14-11, 8-3 NEAC) who are in front of GU in the NEAC South Division standings.

Game 1: Wilson 6, Gallaudet 1
Gallaudet struck first in the fourth inning when junior Courtney Thomas (Yorkville, Ill.) doubled to left field to drive in junior Alyssa Barlow (Chandler, Ariz.), who doubled to reach base two batters prior, with two outs.

The Bison 1-0 lead lasted until the bottom of the fifth when Wilson rallied with six runs on six hits, which included three extra-base hits. Five straight hits by the Phoenix ended the day for Gallaudet starting pitcher Jordan Hogan (Severn, Md.) in the circle. Barlow came in to get GU out of the jam.

GU was only able to get a double in the sixth inning as the Phoenix recorded the final six outs to end the game.

Hogan (6-9) took the loss as she allowed six runs (four earned) on 10 hits, no walks and one strikeout.

Wilson pitcher Megan Potter (10-4) had a complete game where she struck out 11 batters and surrendered one run on four hits in seven innings.

Game 2: Wilson 9, Gallaudet 3
The Bison hung tough with Wilson through the first four innings and were tied 2-2 heading into the bottom of the third and only trailed 5-3 heading into the decisive bottom of the fourth. The Phoenix pushed across four additional runs en route to the 9-3 win. 

GU gave up two quick runs in the bottom of the first before the Bison scored one run in three straight innings. Junior Genesis Rodriguez (San Antonio, Texas) had a sacrifice fly in the second, Courtney Thomas had a RBI single in the third and Hogan walked with the bases loaded to help Gallaudet get on the scoreboard.

Sophomore Darriyan Thomas (Vallejo, Calif.) took the loss as she allowed nine runs on 10 hits and four walks in 3.1 innings. Barlow pitched the remainder of the game.

BISON TRACKS

• Courtney Thomas finished the day 4-for-7, two RBI
• Barlow had a double in each game
• GU had three different players with two hits in the second game

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will travel to Lancaster Bible College (6-21, 2-9 NEAC) on Saturday, April 22, for two conference games.