Zimmerman walk-off double does it for Vikings
GOCC softball keeps the season going with win over Macomb
FINDLAY, Ohio — Glen Oaks Community College added some late-inning sizzle in the drizzle Friday in Findlay, Ohio, rallying to tie the game against Macomb with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and eventually winning 4-3 in walk-off fashion in the ninth at NJCAA Division II Great Lakes District A Championship at Marathon Diamonds.
Facing elimination and trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Vikings rallied for the game-winning runs when freshman third baseman Grace Zimmerman singled to drive in two and seal the victory for Glen Oaks.
Macomb struck first in the top of the third inning when the Monarchs scored on an RBI single by Viviano to take a 1-0 lead.
The Vikings battled back late and tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning when freshman left fielder/outfielder-first baseman Kourtney Zarycki lined an RBI single down the right field line to even the score at 2-2.
The Monarchs regained the lead in the top of the ninth after Wodowski connected on a solo home run to center field to put Macomb ahead 3-2 before Glen Oaks answered in its final at-bat.
Freshman pitcher Cassie Holland earned the complete-game victory for Glen Oaks after tossing all nine innings. Holland allowed 10 hits and three runs, two earned, while striking out six and walking two.
Wlodeck took the loss for Macomb after allowing four runs, none earned, on 10 hits over 8 1/3 innings with three strikeouts and one walk.
Zimmerman, freshman catcher Braylyn Hernandez, and freshman first baseman Hannah Brinks each collected two hits for the Vikings. Zimmerman and Zarycki both drove in two runs.
Macomb's Rich and Garofalo each recorded two hits, while Rich, Wodowski, and Viviano each drove in a run for the Monarchs.
Glen Oaks went on to face Mott in the afternoon for a spot in Saturday's championship game. However, the light rain turned into a heavy downpour, and after starts and stops, the game was postponed at 2-2 in the top of the middle of the fifth inning. The conclusion will be played Saturday morning. The winner will take on top-seeded Cuyahoga in the title game.
