Tuesday was the Caitlyn Burch show -- and for good reason -- as the Mary Washington softball team (3-1) downed WPI in both games of the mid-week doubleheader, 7-6 and 1-0.
Game 1 - 7-6 win
The Eagles fell behind by three runs in the second inning before scoring three of their own in the bottom half to pull even with the Engineers. Eric Shoop singled a pair of runners home with one out to cut into WPI's early lead, 3-2, before Hannah Steele singled home Burch to tie the game.
In the third, the Engineers scored a pair of runs before the Eagles tacked on four runs to pull away for good. Emma Shieda doubled home a run to pull the Eagles to within a run, 5-4, before Emily Angel drove in a run to tie the game with a single. Then, Burch, with her first heroic act of the day, tripled home Angel to put the Eagles on top, and then scored on a throwing error by the relay throw. With Burch's score, the Eagles led 7-5 heading into the fourth inning.
After a few scoreless frames, the Engineers scored a run in the top of the seventh to pull within one, 7-6, before Burch was called upon out of he bullpen. With two runners on and no outs, Burch struck out the first two hitters she faced and then got the final batter of the game to ground out to shortstop to end the game and preserve an Eagles victory.
Game 2 - 1-0 win
Burch would then take the mound for Game 2 and was as good as she's ever been.
In Game 2, Burch struck out eight, allowed just three hits and didn't walk a batter in the victory.
Mary Washington got on the board in the fifth inning when Shelby Presgrave dropped down a bunt in front of the catcher with Nya Lloyd on second base. Presgrave reached first safely with a base hit, but with a throwing error from the first baseman, it allowed Lloyd to score from third and put the Eagles on top for good.
In the final two innings, Burch cruised and guided the Eagles to their third victory of the season.
Mary Washington is back in action this weekend with a plethora of matchups at the Grand Slam Classic in Raleigh, N.C.