Friday, May 3 – It looked for a while like the College of Southern Maryland softball team, co-state champions, and the #1 seed in the tournament, might make an early exit. The Hawks trailed #8 seed Dundalk 2-0 going into the bottom of the 5th, before rallying for 9 runs over the final two innings to win 9-2.

The Lions jumped on top in the top of the first, 1-0. Stephanie Bragg walked, advanced to second on a past ball, and scored on Kris Sarzynski’s single.

It looked like CSM might tie the game up in the bottom of the 1st, as Megan Oursler walked to lead off the inning, and was sacrificed to 2nd by Amanda Boswell, but was left stranded as Lions pitcher Kris Sarzynski retired the next two batters.

The Lions added another run in the top of the 4th, as Kim Sarzynski walked with the bases loaded to force in a run.

Kris Sarzynski held the Hawks hitless and allowed only two base runners through 4 innings, before CSM erupted for 8 runs in the bottom of the 5th to take an 8-1 lead. The Hawks sent 14 batters to the plate, had 7 hits, and benefited from 2 Dundalk errors.

Allison Middleton had two hits in the inning, including an RBI single, Amanda Kidwell also reached base twice, walking and hitting an RBI double, and Erin Waltersdorff had a single and RBI double in the inning. Amanda Boswell drove in a run when she walked with the bases loaded, and Andrea Brady drove in three runs with a bases loaded double. Jennifer Brown also had a RBI single.

Andrea Brady scored the final Hawk run in the 6th. With one out Brady doubled, advanced to third on an error by the shortstop, and scored on a past ball.

Erin Waltersdorff went the distance for the win. She struggled with her control as she walked an uncharacteristically high 7 batters, gave up 4 hits, and struck out 7.

CSM will face Potomac State in the semi-finals at 12:00 PM on Saturday. Potomac State defeated Harford 4-0.