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Fairfield softball sweeps Mt. Pleasant
Trojans battle back in Game 1, roll in Game 2 at Mapleleaf
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT — Day 1 of the Southeast Conference softball season came with two big road wins for the Fairfield Trojans.
Fairfield went into Mapleleaf Athletic Complex in Mt. Pleasant looking for a couple SEC wins, and that’s exactly what they got in a conference-opening doubleheader. The Trojans won Game 1, 20-9, and Game 2, 9-1.
Fairfield scored eight runs in the first three innings of Game 1, but still found themselves in a one-run hole after the fourth. Mt. Pleasant had rallied back from a five-run deficit to lead 9-8.
Fairfield’s offense just kept slugging away, putting up an eight-run fifth to take the lead for good, then scoring four more in the sixth to put the Panthers away.
The Trojans were led by Leah Helmick, who finished the game 3-for-5 with two doubles and six RBIs.
“I have a lot of confidence,” Helmick said. “And a lot of confidence in my teammates when they’re getting on base.”
Lilly Bergren finished 4-for-5 with two RBIs. Laney Norris was 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Olivia Hollander was 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Vanessa Kessel knocked two in, and Aubrey Ryan picked up the win in the circle.
Mt. Pleasant’s Izzy Sloat was 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Parker Coleman and Jolynn Martin each had two hits and two RBIs, and Keagyn Coleman finished with three hits and an RBI.
Game 2 was dominated by Helmick’s pitching. After a wild opener, Helmick gave up just one earned run on one Panther hit in a five-inning complete game start.
Hollander was 3-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Bergren had another big game, going 3-for-4 with a triple. Helmick and Faith Jones each knocked in two runs.
“I’m not gonna complain about the offense,” said Fairfield head coach Bob Bradfield after the wins. “Our defense isn’t looking very good, and we’ve got to get better.”
Mt. Pleasant’s lone hit was a single by Saige Burchett. Keagyn Coleman had the team’s lone RBI.
The win moved Fairfield to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Mt. Pleasant is now 0-6, and 0-2.
