Team Stripes Sets the Tone of 2024 Women’s National Team Training Camp and Beats Stars, 8-5

Jamie Baum and Anna Kimbrell drove in two runs apiece as Stripes toppled Stars, 8-5, at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Elise Berger tossed two scoreless frames, punching out a pair while allowing only two hits to put Stripes in a position to take the early initiative.
• The home team did just that, as Kimbrell swatted a 1-2 offering in the second inning to hand Stripes a 2-0 advantage.
• Maggie Paulovich subsequently ran on Kimbrell’s behalf and later scored on a wild pitch, making it 3-0 after two.
• Kelsie Whitmore’s leadoff triple in the third continued to put pressure on Stripes, as a bases-loaded walk plated Whitmore and extended the home team’s lead.
• A passed ball later in the third frame scored first baseman Kylee Lahners and ballooned the lead to 5-0.
• Stars managed to cut into the lead in the fifth, however, as a ball put into play by Jillian Albayati plated Alana Martinez for the team’s first run.
• The away team then took advantage of a wild pitch in the sixth frame, putting Stars within striking distance at a score of 5-2.
• Yet Stripes stayed patient at the plate, as a string of walks turned into runs after Baum drilled a line drive to left and widened the lead once again; giving Stripes an 8-2 lead.
• Down to its last three outs, Stars threatened after a defensive miscue and hard-hit doubles by both Albayati and Olivia Pichardo trimmed the lead by three runs.
• A double play induced by Jacqueline Reynolds ended any chance of a comeback, however, and the Stripes held onto its 8-5 advantage for the win.

NOTABLE STATS

• Stripes’ pitching staff was the story of the evening, as Niki Eckert, Baum, and Berger combined for six scoreless frames and nine strikeouts.
• Pichardo punched out four batters over two innings for Stars, allowing only one hit in the process.
• Seven different Stripes batters recorded at least one hit, led by Whitmore who went 2-for-2 with a run scored.
• Despite taking the loss, Stars’ bats proved its capabilities as 12 hits were scattered across seven different batters.
• Martinez led Stars at the plate, going a flawless 3-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk.
• Albayati and Pichardo each went 2-for-4 while London Studer had a 2-for-3 showing in her debut.