Crittenden’s Late Double Highlights Blue Devils’ 6-1 Setback to Nelson in Florida
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEL | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | X | 6 |
| LAW | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
VIERA WEST, Fla. – A sixth-inning RBI double from Brenna Crittenden put Lawrence Tech on the board, but an early three-run frame and a late surge from Nelson University-Arizona proved too much as the Blue Devils fell 6-1 on Wednesday at the Space Coast Complex during their spring break trip.
Nelson did its damage in two key innings, striking for three runs in the top of the second and adding three more in the sixth. The Blue Devils were limited to five hits and were hurt by four defensive errors, while Nelson produced 11 hits and left 11 runners on base.
After a scoreless first, Nelson grabbed control in the second. Maritza Rodr singled to help ignite the rally as the visitors pushed across three runs for a 3-0 lead. Lawrence Tech’s defense was forced to work from behind the rest of the way as Nelson continued to apply pressure, ultimately padding the margin with a three-run top of the sixth that extended the advantage to 6-0.
The Blue Devils answered in the bottom half of the sixth with their best offensive inning. Lauren Miller reached ahead of Crittenden, and the sophomore outfielder from Springport, Michigan, delivered a two-out double to drive in Miller and cut the deficit to 6-1. Lawrence Tech threatened to add more, but Nelson starter Kelly Katalb closed the door to finish her outing.
Katalb turned in a strong performance in the circle for Nelson, working 6.0 innings and allowing just one run on four hits with four strikeouts and one walk on 86 pitches. Lawrence Tech’s staff surrendered six runs, four of them earned, on 11 hits while striking out one and walking five over 6.0 innings of work.
Offensively, Crittenden finished with the Blue Devils’ lone extra-base hit and RBI. Infielder Zoey Markey continued to be a steady presence at the plate, collecting two hits and reaching base once more, while outfielder Alyssa Bloomfield added a double to the left-center gap earlier in the game before being thrown out attempting to take third. Lawrence Tech also received contributions throughout the lineup but could not string together enough timely hits to erase the early deficit.
Rodr led Nelson with three hits, a run scored and an RBI, while Charli York added two hits, including a double, to go with a run and an RBI. Despite the setback, the contest provided additional live reps for the Blue Devils’ lineup and defense as the team continues its spring break slate at the Space Coast Complex, with several more nonconference tests still ahead in Florida.
