5/3/11 - Royals End Season in GSAC Playoffs

Written by Tim Gooszen
Photo by Liza Rosales

Azusa, CA- Hope International closed out their season in an opening round game of the GSAC tournament with an 8-2 loss to Concordia at Azusa Pacific on Tuesday.  Freshman Lauren Ackerson was 2-3 with 2 doubles and a walk.

Freshman Adi Lopez walked in the top of the first but was left stranded.

The Eagles (46-11) did not miss their opportunities in the bottom of the first and second as they scored three runs in the first two innings.

Freshman Danielle Barnett doubled into right center leading off the third but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple. But that woke up the Royals as Freshman Kristin Peterson followed with a walk and Ackerson followed with a double to left that brought home Peterson.  HIU brought the score to 3-1.

The score remained 3-1 until Concordia scored two in the fourth and three in the fifth.

The Royals (15-33) were not ready to go down without putting up a little fight in the top of the seventh.  Peterson walked again and Ackerson followed with her second double of the game to put runners at second and third with one out.  Lopez drew a walk to load the bases.  Then Senior Caitlin Angel, in her final collegiate at bat, drove home Peterson from third with a fielder’s choice to shortstop.  But the scoring would end at that 8-2 mark.

Aside from Seniors Angel and Rachel Costa (pictured below), the Royals can look to use this season as a building block for years to come.

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