MCCONNELL AND DOMINEY-MCLEAN COMPLETE CAREERS AT RCU
It was a bittersweet day for the Warrior softball program on Sunday afternoon, as the team celebrated the careers of seniors Alicia McConnell and Jayde Dominey-McLean between games against the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils, the final two games of the Warriors' season.
ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - It was a bittersweet day for the Warrior softball program on Sunday afternoon, as the team celebrated the careers of seniors Alicia McConnell and Jayde Dominey-McLean between games against the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils, the final two games of the Warriors' season. The two seniors combined for 59 hits and 32 RBI over the course of their two seasons at Rochester Christian entering the day's games.
GAME ONE - L, 1-3
The two teams found themselves close together for the majority of this game, with the Blue Devils striking first on an error by the Warriors in the top of the first inning. Pitcher Makayla Orman struck out two Blue Devils to help the Warriors get out of the first-inning jam. Orman recorded three more strikeouts before the fourth inning, where the Warriors tied the game with an RBI single from Payton Parrish.
Dominey-McLean made a big play in the fifth inning, snagging a hard-hit ball off the ground and tagging second before hurling it towards first for a big double-play. Things would turn against the Warriors in the next inning though, with the Blue Devils striking a deep drive through center field for a two-run homer. The Warriors had a chance in the seventh, but things were shut down due to ground outs.
GAME TWO - L, 2-9
The second game the Warriors draw first blood with a Madelyn Latham sacrifice fly to center field to give Dominey-McLean her final career run. After a few strong stands from RCU defensively, Lawrence Tech found a breakthrough in the third inning with a game-tying RBI double. The Blue Devils carried that momentum into the next inning, where they exploded for five runs to build a commanding lead.
McConnell made sure to go out with another RBI, singling to third base to send Kylee Dillard home from second. The baserunner narrowly reached home, just avoiding the catcher's glove. The Blue Devils tacked on another home run in the final inning to expand the lead, and the Warriors weren't able to respond with any runs in the final inning
UP NEXT
McConnell will continue to pursue her degree in Sports Management at RCU, graduating in fall 2024. Dominey-McLean will be completing her teaching degree at RCU, graduating in fall 2024.
Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications
Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RCU Athletics