Hunter’s walk-off double, Hellige’s 10 Ks lead Chargers past John Wood in Game 2

GALESBURG — Ailexa Hunter drilled a walk-off double in Game 2, and Cheyanne Rodgers and Mary Hellige each had 10-strikeout efforts as the Sandburg softball team split a doubleheader with John Wood on Sunday.

GAME 1
John Wood 7, Sandburg 6
John Wood    000     050     2          —        7          4          2
Sandburg      104     100     0          —        6          11       9
L: Cheyanne Rodgers 7 IP, 10 K, 5 BB

Key moments
• The Chargers built a 6-0 lead through four innings, highlighted by a four-run third that included RBI base hits from Ailexa Hunter, Mary Hellige, Paige Huffman and Alexi Brammeier.
• John Wood made it a game again by putting together a five-run fifth to get within one. The Blazers then took the lead with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the seventh.

Sandburg standout
Pitcher Cheyanne Rodgers fanned a season-high 10 batters while allowing just one earned run in a complete game. Rodgers allowed just four hits and walked her. She doubled her previous best of five strikeouts, set April 1 against Black Hawk.

Other top Chargers
• Bailey Ryan: 2 for 4, run
• Hunter: 2 for 4, two runs, two RBIs, stolen base
• Hellige: 3 for 4, two RBIs
• Huffman: 2 for 4, RBI

GAME 2
Sandburg 8, John Wood 7 (8 innings)
John Wood    000     114     01       —        7          10       2
Sandburg      110     004     02       —        8          15       5
W: Hellige 8 IP, 10 K, 4 BB

Key moments
• After a four-run sixth gave John Wood a 6-2 lead, the Chargers tied it with a four spot of their own. Brammeier doubled in a run to make it 6-3, and Rodgers singled to center for a 6-4 deficit. Ryan then came through with a two-out, two-run single to even the score.
• The Blazers took the lead in the eighth with a run, but the Chargers loaded the bases with one away in the bottom half. Ryan knotted the contest with a base hit to center, and Hunter drove a double to left field to drive in Rodgers for a walk-off victory. It marked the first extra-inning win and first walk-off win for Sandburg this season.

Sandburg standout
Hellige joined Rodgers with a 10-strikeout day while throwing all eight innings in the victory. Her 10 Ks matched the career-best she put up March 21 at John Wood. Hellige didn't allow an earned run while giving up six hits and issuing four walks.

Other top Chargers
• Ryan: 2 for 5, three RBIs
• Huffman: 4 for 4, run
• Erin Jackson: 2 for 3, run, RBI
• Rodgers: 2 for 3, walk, two runs, RBI

UP NEXT
3 p.m. Tuesday vs. Highland 

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