Softball Rolls Behind Hudson's Three RBI Performance

CRETE, Neb. - Doane softball opened its GPAC doubleheader against Waldorf with a 9-1 five-inning win on Friday afternoon at Doane Ballfield Complex in Crete.

The Tigers wasted no time taking control, scoring five times in the bottom of the first inning. Jeryn Allen started the rally by walking and later scored on a stolen base sequence that included a Waldorf throwing error. Jacqueline Ordonez followed with a single and also came around to score after another catcher error on a steal attempt. After Evelyn Iniguez doubled and Katelyn Hays walked, Milannie Gonzalez delivered a two-run single to center to bring home both runners. Ciara Hudson then added an RBI single to left to push the Doane advantage to 5-0.

Doane threatened again in the second as Hannah Pack singled and Jeryn Allen followed with a base hit, but Waldorf turned a pair of defensive plays to keep the Tigers from adding on.

The Tigers nearly broke through in the third when Katelyn Hays doubled with two outs and Iniguez moved to third, but Waldorf escaped the inning. Doane's pitching staff also worked out of trouble in the fourth. Natalie Ascencio issued a pair of walks before Bri True entered in relief and stranded both runners with a strikeout and fly out to preserve the shutout.

Hudson sparked the offense again in the fourth inning, leading off with a solo home run to make it 6-0. Pack followed with a single and later scored after Allen's sacrifice and a Waldorf error off the bat of Ordonez. Bri True then singled to center and advanced to third on an outfield miscue, allowing Ordonez to score as the Tigers stretched the lead to 8-0.

Waldorf got on the board in the top of the fifth. After a walk and another free pass helped load the bases, Kylie Bates scored on a wild pitch to trim the score to 8-1. True limited the damage by stranding two runners with a strikeout to end the inning.

Doane answered immediately in the bottom half. Iniguez, Hays and Gonzalez opened the inning with three straight singles to load the bases, and Hudson capped her big afternoon with another RBI single through the left side to bring home Lexi Adams and end the game by run rule.

Hudson led the Tigers at the plate by going 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Gonzalez finished 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Hays went 2-for-2 with a walk and a double. Iniguez also had two hits, and Pack added a 2-for-2 performance with two runs scored. Doane collected 14 hits in the win.

Ascencio earned the victory after allowing two hits and no runs over 3.1 innings. True closed out the final 1.2 innings, allowing one run while striking out three.

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