MOBILE, Ala. - Although falling in game one to William Carey 6-1, the Fire were able to rebound and capture the back-end of the doubleheader defeating the University of Mobile 2-1 in extra innings.
Game 1: After a shutdown first inning by the Fire, William Carey scratched across the first run of the game in the bottom half of the second inning with a one out single by Macy Monk to make it 1-0 Crusaders.
In the top of the fifth, the Fire knotted the game up at 1-1 as Heather Faulk stole third and came across to score after the throwing error by the Crusaders' second baseman.
The Crusaders were able to bounce back in the bottom half of the fifth with a power surge. Kamryn Theriot led off the with a walk and came around to score with a double by Kimberly Gilbert. Five Crusader hitters reached base safely before the first out of the inning was made. When the damage was done, the Crusaders scored five runs on five hits to make the score 6-1 where it would remain for the duration of the game.
Game 2: Seven innings was not enough to settle game two between the Fire and the Rams. The Fire got off to a hot start in the top of the first with a clutch two out base hit down the left field line by Cat Maldonado which scored Sydnie Malloy from third to give the Fire a 1-0 lead.
Mobile was able to tie the game in the bottom of the third with a two out single down the right field line by Maegan Walding scored Tyler Winkler from second make the score 1-1.
An international tie breaker was in effect to determine the winner in the 8th inning. Malloy was placed on second base and Sam Holcomb led off the inning with a well executed sacrifice bunt advanced the runner to third. Brandee Pietrzak's sacrifice fly into foul territory down the left field line allowed Malloy to tag up and score which gave the Fire a 2-1 lead.
The freshman from Park Ridge, Illinois was dominant inside the circle for the Fire. Stef Guercio dealt a complete game only surrendering one earned run and struck out 12 Rams hitters.
The Fire will be back in action on Friday March 3rd when they take on #10 William Carey University at 11 a.m.
