DAYTON, Tenn. - In what can only be described as a heart-stopping doubleheader, Bryan College softball delivered back-to-back walk-off victories against Taylor University (Indiana) on Valentine's Day, leaving fans breathless and cementing their reputation for clutch performances.
The Lions swept both games of the Saturday afternoon doubleheader at home, winning 3-2 in 10 innings in the opener and 4-3 in nine innings in the nightcap - both games decided by dramatic walk-off moments that had the team mobbing their heroes at first base.
Game One: Extra-Innings Drama
The first game was a pitcher's duel for the ages, with both teams locked in a scoreless battle through seven innings. Bryan's
KP Smith was masterful on the mound, throwing all 10 innings while scattering seven hits and striking out six batters in a complete-game performance.
The scoring finally broke open in the eighth inning when both teams traded runs. Taylor's G. Mullins drove in the game's first run, but Bryan answered immediately in the bottom half when
Brooklyn Malone doubled to score
Lakyn Lockhart and knot the game at 1-1.
The drama intensified in the ninth as both teams again exchanged runs. Taylor retook the lead when L. Sinders singled home J. Vargas, but Bryan refused to quit. In the bottom of the ninth, with
Ava Saul on second base as the placed runner,
Juliana Santillanes came in to pinch run.
Ava Garay delivered the clutch hit, singling to score Santillanes and send the game to extra innings.
In the bottom of the 10th, with
Lakyn Lockhart starting the inning on second base per extra-innings rules, the Lions finally broke through.
Brooklyn Malone reached on an error by the Taylor shortstop, allowing Lockhart to race home with the winning run and spark a celebration on the infield.
Game Two: More Walk-Off Magic
If the opener was thrilling, the nightcap proved Bryan could do it again. This time, the Lions jumped ahead early when A. Everman's RBI double in the second inning gave Taylor a 1-0 lead. But Bryan stormed back in the fifth inning with two unearned runs to take a 2-1 advantage.
The see-saw battle continued as Taylor tied it in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by L. Lehmann, then grabbed a 3-2 lead in the eighth when A. Messer singled home D. McCreary.
Facing defeat, Bryan loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth before
Madison Carpenter scored the tying run on a passed ball to make it 3-3 and keep their hopes alive.
In the bottom of the ninth, with
Savanna Schaffer on second base as the placed runner, Juliana Santillan again entered as a pinch runner - a decision that would pay dividends. After M. Lee advanced Santillanes to third with a groundout,
Kendal Mason lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, and Santillanes trotted home with the winning run as Bryan completed the sweep with another walk-off victory.
Heroes Everywhere
The doubleheader showcased Bryan's depth and resilience.
Brooklyn Malone went 4-for-8 combined in the two games with a double and two RBIs.
Maddie Lee threw a complete game in the second contest, allowing just two earned runs while striking out seven. And
Juliana Santillanes proved to be a clutch pinch runner, scoring winning runs in both games.
The sweep improves Bryan's record and demonstrates their ability to win close games when the pressure is highest. For a team that has now won consecutive games with walk-off hits, the Lions are proving they have the mettle to compete in any situation.
