NIC softball sweeps double-header against Spokane

NIC softball took both games in a double-header contest against Spokane CC Wednesday afternoon at Post Falls High School.

The Cards scored 25 runs over the two contests, winning the the first tilt 10-2 and following that up by surviving the Sasquatch’s best punch in a 15-12 win.

NICs offense jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in game one in the first inning which would be enough to back Madi Mott’s fine performance on the mound. Mott went five strong on the hill, picking up her 12th win of the season in the process. Ashlynn Winn clobbered her 18th and 19th homers of the season to pace the offense, and Mott helped out by homering as well. 3B Devinne Amesquita hit a solo homer as well.

Game one was just a prelude to the firework show that was the 4:00 game. Amesquita’s first-inning homer helped the Cards jump out to an early 4-0 lead once again, but struggles on the mound from starter Andrea Hoey and relievers Grace Ferres and McKenzie Wilson allowed Spokane to tie the game at four in the third inning, and eventually take an 8-5 lead thanks to a grand slam from Angie Porcayo. It was up to the Cards to decide how they were going to answer.

Winn kicked the comeback into action by hitting her 20th homer on the year. Singles by Mott and Bailey Cavanaugh kept the inning alive, and Amesquita loaded the bases on a full-count walk. That set up for SS Sarah Williams, who took the opportunity to answer Spokane’s grand slam with one of her own. Williams’ blast put the Cards back on top 10-8.

Williams hit a 2-run homer the next time she stepped to the plate, and Mott, who pitched the final 2.2 innings to secure the win, hit two more homers to take the NWAC lead for home runs hit at 21. Yes, Mott the pitcher and ace of the Cardinal staff is pacing the field in homers. Her final home run was an absolute moonshot that nearly hit a car in the street way back from the fence.

The sweep over Spokane pushed the Cards’ conference record to 19-5 and kept them in first place in the East division. The defending champs currently rank number 2 in the conference poll and will ride a four-game winning-streak into Friday’s double-header at home vs. Blue Mountain and Saturday against Treasure Valley. First pitches for both games will be at 2:00 p.m. Once again, home games are held at Post Falls High School.