A combination of good pitching and timely hitting proved to be just the right formula for Brandon to win its first game of the season.
Jill Perry struck out 10 while allowing only four hits as the Blackhawks defeated visiting Rochester Adams 3-1 on April 6. Brandon is now 1-4 on the season.
After retiring the Highlanders in order in the top of the first, the Blackhawks struck with two outs in the bottom half. Chelsea Wengren singled, then scored on an RBI double by Katie Flood to put Brandon up 1-0.
Adams scored in the top of the third to tie the game at one. However, in the bottom of the third, Mallory Martin singled with one out, then scored on a triple by Wengren to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead.
The Blackhawks picked up an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth, as Lauren Ross doubled with two out and scored on an RBI single by Ashley Brady.
Wengren keyed the Blackhawks? offense, going three-for-three with an RBI and a run scored.
Brandon struggled to score runs in their doubleheader loss to Birmingham Groves April 5. The Blackhawks lost the opener 1-0 and the nightcap 6-2.
The Blackhawks managed just four hits against the Falcons, offsetting a strong pitching performance by Perry, who struck out 12 Groves batters in the contest.
Katie Flood tallied two of Brandon’s hits, while Meredith Dura and Wengren also connected for the Blackhawks.
Things were not much better for the Blackhawks in the second game, although they pushed across a run each in the fourth and seventh innings.
That was because the Falcons had long since taken command of the game in the bottom of the second, scoring six runs on five hits to take a 6-0 lead.
The Blackhawks suffered a setback in their opening doubleheader April 1 against Kearsley, losing the opener 2-1 and the nightcap 4-2.
Brandon returns to action April 22 when they play their first Flint Metro League game of the season, hosting Linden at 4 p.m.