WARRENSBURG, Mo. (March 10, 2017)-- Central Missouri Jennies Softball (7-14, 1-1 MIAA) opened MIAA play splitting its doubleheader with Southwest Baptist and history was made in the process. Head Coach
Susan Anderson picked up career win No. 500. In her 18th season now, she is 500-415 as a head coach.
Game One: Southwest Baptist 8, Central Missouri 0 – 5 innings
SBU scored three runs on three hits in the opening inning to jump out to an early lead, 3-0. After striking out the first batter, the Jennies walked the next batter up, then allowed three runs before getting the next two outs.
In the bottom half, Central Missouri got two runners on base on two hits, but couldn't score a run leaving both stranded.
The Bearcats added one run in the second on a ground out to third base to go up 4-0 and went 1-2-3 in the bottom half to keep the Jennies scoreless.
SBU put up three more runs in the third, two of them coming off a two-run homer by Dana Robinson into center field and the third off a wild pitch giving SBU a 7-0 advantage. They scored their final run in the fifth with the help of a UCM error in center field.
In the circle,
Katie Giacone got the starting nod and pitched all five innings. She allowed all eight runs, seven earned on 10 hits, and dropped her record to 2-4 this season.
The Jennies scratched out just four hits in five innings.
Courtni Smith and
Alex Leonhart both singled in the first, while
Lauryn Deer and
Alexis Koop each had a hit in the fifth.
Kacey Ayers got the win for SBU, throwing all five-shutout innings and giving up just four hits. Robinson went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored.
Game Two: Central Missouri 8, Southwest Baptist 0 – 5 innings
Game two produced the same score, 8-0, but with things going in favor for the Jennies as they scored five runs in the fourth and three in the fifth to end the game early and split the series.
SBU only put up three hits in the second game with one coming in the top of the first, but could not find any rhythm from game one.
In the bottom half, the Jennies got two runners on base off a hit by pitch and a SBU error, but both were left stranded. In the second, UCM went 1-2-3 to end the top half, but left but left two on base again to keep the game scoreless.
Fast forward to the fourth inning, the Jennies bats came alive as they scored five runs on six hits. Leonhart got things started with a double to left center field. SBU slowed the momentum striking out the next two, but the Jennies responded. A single from
Aubrey Daniel, and a RBI single by
Makayla Schoonover brought home Leonhart.
Hailey Crabtree kept things going with a two RBI single up the middle to bring the score to 3-0. After an SBU pitching change,
Lauren Mabe hit a two RBI double to right center to push the Jennies lead to 5-0, before SBU ended the inning.
UCM put up another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fifth to leave SBU scoreless and a chance to end the game in five.
In the bottom half,
Carlie Rose singled to center after Leonhart was walked. SBU struck one out, then Daniel hit a RBI single to right field and advanced to second on the throw, while Leonhart scored. Deer loaded the bases with a single to the pitcher, giving Crabtree the chance to play hero. She answered the call, hitting a two RBI single to bring home Daniel and Rose.
Alexa Bradley started game two for the Jennies, pitching all five-shutout innings. She allowed just three SBU hits and struck out five batters. Crabtree went 2-for-4 with four RBI. Daniel was a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored, while Deer and Mabe were both 2-for-3. Deer had an RBI, Mabe added 2 RBI, and both scored two runs.
Claire Miller picked up the loss for SBU. She allowed seven hits and five runs, all earned, in 3.2 innings. Hunter Middleton and Ayers both finished out the last innings for SBU. Middleton gave up hits and three runs, while Ayers allowed just one hit. Alexis Dock, Catlin Evans, and Stormy Christerson all went 1-for-2 for the Bearcats.
The Jennies continue MIAA play Tuesday, March 14, as they travel to Kansas for a doubleheader against Pittsburg State. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
