Trojans sweep softball against Fort Madison

FAIRFIELD — A sweep of Fort Madison, 9-0 and 5-4, Thursday put Fairfield at the top of the Southeast Conference standings with a 5-1 record.

The Trojans recorded two different wins against the Bloodhounds. Pitcher Coty Engle helped her cause with two hits, struck out nine, allowed a walk and four hits in a 9-0 win to start the evening.

“I don’t even know the most strikeouts I’ve had in a game,” Engle said. “I just concentrate on throwing a strike.” She was doing that effectively with her rise ball.

Fairfield gave up four runs in the sixth, but Danielle Breen led off the bottom of the sixth with a home run to spark the Trojans. Brynley Allison and Hannah Simpson batted in runs to tie the game at 4-4.

It was offensive hustle from Peyton McCabe, Danielle Breen and Delaney Breen with defensive hustle from Simpson and a lack of it from Fort Madison that was the difference.

“It felt like extra innings,” Fairfield coach Bob Bradfield said. “We didn’t make some plays we should have.”

Bailey Hird got the complete game win allowing two earned runs on five hits and three walks, and recorded three straight outs in the seventh.

The third out was an adventure, possibly ESPN Top 10 material, with an overthrow to first baseman Simpson.

“I went to pick up the ball, saw her turn toward second, so I knew she had to get back to first, but she went the other way,” Simpson said. "I would hit her if I threw it so I got on my horse and chased her and I just nicked her.“ Simpson dove to get the tag.

McCabe led off the bottom of the seventh with a single, then Delaney Breen bunted her over to second but beat the throw. Danielle Breen followed with a bunt that rolled between a Fort Madison player’s legs before she picked it up and looked to third base, much too late to get the sprinting Breen. A pop out followed then Hird sent a ball behind short that was misplayed for the winning run.

Fairfield is 9-6 overall, while Fort Madison is 3-8, 0-4.