Addison Kryger of the Rota Admirals moves to tag out Nala Herron of the Vicenza Cougars as she tried to return to the base during the first of two games between the teams on Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy April 6, 2024. ( Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
VICENZA, Italy - Miscues and heroics played their parts in a softball doubleheader Saturday between the Rota Admirals and the Vicenza Cougars.
On a sunny spring day, errors plagued the Cougars during the first game of the weekend paving was the way for the Admirals to start their season off on a good note with a 17-11 victory. Later, Rota had to rally in extra innings for a 13-12 victory.
Rota senior Madisyn Orlowski said she was “really, really hungry for a win,” and liked the outcome.
“I think we deserved the win,” Orlowski said.
The initial victory was not as lopsided as the score might suggest as Vicenza only trailed by one run heading into the fourth and final inning due to the allotted time limit.
In a game that took more than the 110 minutes authorized, Rota scored six runs in its final at bat, leaving the Cougars in a seven-run hole going into their final at bat.
Vicenza was only able to get one run across the plate as the Admirals played a clean fourth inning to close out the game.
Isabella Epersen of the Vicenza Cougars connects with a pitch and hits a triple against the Rota Admirals on Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy April 6, 2024. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
Madisyn Orlowski of the Rota Admirals tries to catch a throw from Audrey Redwine to tag Ava Henson of the Vicenza Cougars as she tries to scores during the first of two games between the teams on Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy April 6, 2024. Henson beat the tag and scored the run for the Cougars. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
Ryelinn Cooper of the Vicenza Cougars fields a ground ball against the Rota Admirals on Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy April 6, 2024. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
Alana Gaylani of the Rota Admirals attempts to tag out Jayden Stokes of the Vicenza Cougars as she advances to third base during the afternoon game between the teams on Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy April 6, 2024. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
Ava Henson of the Vicenza Cougars tries to tag out Madisyn Orlowski of the Rota Admirals as she tries to score during the first of two games between the teams on Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy April 6, 2024. Henson was unable to secure the throw from her teammate, allowing Orlowski to score the run. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
However, the Cougars were not about to roll over for the Admirals.
Vicenza freshman Adysen Johnston said the message to the team going into the second game was shake off the first game and “put our all into it.”
The Cougars were able to take advantage of some Rota miscues to reach double figures in runs again. However, it was not enough to split the games.
Trailing 11-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Admirals scored six times to tie the game and send it to extra innings.
“We really had a rally at the end to tie the score,” Rota coach Leslie Samuelson said.
Vicenza came out in the top of the eighth inning to take a 12-11 lead, forcing the Admirals to earn the victory.
Rota did just that as they scored twice to earn the sweep.
“Our team has come such a long way,” Orlowski said. “I see us making it very far and being pleased at the end of the year.”
