AUBURNDALE, Fla. – The Geneva College softball team had a tough final day in Florida, losing to Wooster, 10-5, and Franklin & Marshall, 4-3, but the day was highlighted by graduate student Sarah Johnson breaking the school's career stolen base record. The two losses dropped Geneva's overall record to 3-9.
In the first game of the day against Wooster, Geneva got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Madison Forsythe singled, went to third on a double from junior Julia Hart, and then scored on a two-out single from junior Elishea Reed.
Wooster responded right away in the top of the second, scoring five times against senior starter Haley Smith. Geneva answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame, with Johnson and senior Madison Smith each picking up RBIs.
The highlight of the game for the Golden Tornadoes came in the fourth inning when Johnson singled and stole second, her 113th career stolen base, breaking the Geneva school record.
Wooster added three runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh to secure the win. The Golden Tornadoes added a run in the sixth, on an RBI from Hart, and in the seventh, on an RBI from freshman Madison Rapp, to wrap up the scoring.
Smith had her first rough start of the season after not giving up an earned run in her first three starts last week. She pitched four innings and gave up 12 hits and seven earned runs, while striking out six.
Reed led the offense, going 3-for-4. Johnson and Forsythe each added two hits, with Johnson stealing two bases.
Freshman Sophia Tvaroch got the start in the second game of the day against Franklin & Marshall. She got through the first inning unscathed, but control issues caused problems in the second inning. The first five Diplomats reached base courtesy three walks and two singles, knocking Tvaroch out of the game. Freshman McKenzie Rapp relived Tvaroch and was effective, but Franklin & Marshall scored four times before the final out was recorded.
Rapp pitched well the rest of the game, giving the Golden Tornado offense a chance to rally. Geneva stirred to life in the fifth, scoring three times on RBIs from Johnson, Forsythe and senior Peri Ceasri, pulling the Golden Tornadoes within one.
Geneva had a chance to take the lead in the sixth, but the Golden Tornadoes left the bases loaded, and Franklin & Marshall held on for the 4-3 win.
Rapp was very good in relief for the Golden Tornadoes, giving up just one hit while striking out five in five scoreless innings.
Geneva actually outhit Franklin & Marshall six to three. Sophomore Megan Gray collected two of those six hits for the Golden Tornadoes.
The team will make the long bus ride back home and prepare for a doubleheader on Wednesday at Pitt-Greensburg, beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Through purposeful learning in a community reflecting the full spectrum of God's kingdom, a Geneva College experience inspires students to discover a faith-life calling in service to God and neighbor. Offering 195+ traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality and affordability. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the International Association for Christian Education (IACE).
