EDMOND, Okla. (May 21, 2021) - Central Missouri Softball's post-season run came to an end in the NCAA Central Region Semifinals. After eliminating No. 19 Southern Arkansas from the tournament, the Jennies fell to the second seeded No. 17 Minnesota State to conclude UCM's season. 

SEMIFINAL ROUND 1 - Central Missouri 2, No. 19 Southern Arkansas 1
How it Happened:
• Central Missouri eliminated its second team from the NCAA Central Region Championships with a 2-1 victory over the Muleriders. 
• As the visitors or the scoreboard, the Jennies recorded the first hit of the game as Abbey Fischer hit an infield single in UCM's first at-bat of the day. Southern Arkansas recorded the third out of the inning with one Jennie left on base. 
• After a silent second inning by both teams, UCM's offense recorded two hits in the top of the third. The Muleriders held the Jennies without a run once again, this time with bases loaded. 
• Central Missouri finally plated a run in the top of the fourth with two hits and left three runners on base. 
• Jessica Sader singled up the middle to begin the inning. Designated player Sydney Wellshear walked to give UCM runners on first and second, then Makenzie McAtee singled to center field to load the bases in back-to-back innings. 
• A hit to the infield by pinch hitter Abby Allnutt would score pinch runner Peyton Corrigan to give UCM a 1-0 advantage. Southern Arkansas recorded three consecutive outs following the Jennies score. 
• Paige Petefish and the UCM defense continued to hold the Muleriders with just two hits and no runs scored through the first five innings. 
• Central Missouri added its second run in the top of the sixth as Wellshear opening the inning with a triple to left center on her first pitch of the at-bat. 
• Wellshear scored on the next play off an infield hit by second basemen Brenlyn McCoy 
• Southern Arkansas scored one run back in the bottom half of the inning off one hit and one UCM fielding error. 
• The Jennies loaded the bases for a third time in the top of the seventh. The Muleriders recorded the final out of the inning without a UCM score. 
• Petefish and the UCM defense allowed just one Mulerider hit in the final inning. Petefish struck out SAU's final batter to secure the 2-1 victory.

Leading the Jennies:
• Shortstop Abbey Fischer and designated player Sydney Wellshear both reached on base in all four of their plate appearances. Both led the Jennies with two hits and one walk apiece. 
• Second baseman Brenlyn McCoy and pinch hitter Abby Allnutt were each responsible for driving in UCM's runs. 
• Pinch runner Peyton Corrigan and Wellshear scored the Jennies runs. 
• Paige Petefish pitched the complete game against SAU. Against 27 batters Petefish gave up just four hits, one unearned run, and no walks while striking out a game-high five batters. 

For the Muleriders:
• Four different Muleriders totaled SAU's total hits.
• Designated player Elisa Favela drove in SAU's lone run. 
• Sydney Wader threw six innings against the Jennies. In 29 batters faced she allowed six hits, two runs, and threw five walks while striking out four batters. 

SEMIFINAL - No. 17 Minnesota State 3, Central Missouri 0
How it Happened:
• The Mavericks were the first to score and only to score in a battle to reach the NCAA Central Region Championship game. 
• Minnesota State scored its first run in the opening inning as the Mavericks hit leader Torey Richards sent her full-count pitch over the center field fence in the pouring rain. 
• The Mavericks held onto their 1-0 lead till the top of the sixth inning when they plated two more runs off three hits. 
• The Division II strikeout leader Mackenzie Ward threw the first six inning against the Jennies. Through those innings, Ward and the MSU defense allowed just two hits and four Jennies to reach on base while tallying 13 strikeouts. 
• As the home team on the scoreboard, first baseman Makenzie McAtee opening the Jennies rally in the bottom of the seventh with a double to center field. Minnesota State recorded three consecutive outs following McAtee's double to end the semifinal match up with the 3-0 shutout win. 
• Through the seven innings, MSU out-hit the Jennies 8-3. The Jennies left a game-high five runners on base without a single run scored. 

Leading the Jennies:
• Makenzie McAtee led the Jennies with two hits in three at-bats.
• Center Fielder Bailey Fowler reached on base in two of her three plate apperences with one hit and a walk. 
• Sadie Parks pitched the first five innings against the Mavericks, battling heavy rain in the begining inninings. In 20 at-bats, Parks gave up six hits and three runs, one of which was unearned. She also struck out a team-high five batters without giving up a single walk.
• Kyleigh Lay threw the final two innings against MSU. In eight at-bats she allowed just two hits and struck out two batters.

For the Mavericks:
• Shortstop Torey Richards led MSU with two hits and shared the team-high one RBI with her homer in the opening inning. 
• First baseman Hailey Forshee also drove in a MSU run with her single in the top of the sixth. 
• Mackenzie Ward faced 22 Jennies in the circle allowed just two hits and two walks. Ward struck out a game-high 13 batters. She continues to lead the Division II with 305 strikeouts this season. 

News & Notes:
• The Jennies left a total of 12 runners on base against Southern Arkansas. That makes a total of 21 runners left on base in UCM's two games against the Muleriders. 
• This was UCM's furthest run in the NCAA Central Region Championships since the 2015 season. 
• Central Missouri elimated both the GAC Regular-Season Championships, Southern Arkansas, and the GAC Tournament Championships, Arkansas Tech. 
• The Jennies offense ends the season with a team batting average of .299. 
• Central Missouri's pitching staff ends the year with a 2.13 team ERA. 
• Paige Petefish pitched three complete games in the regional tournament. She ends the season with a team-best ERA of 1.64 and led the Jennies with a record of 18-4.
• The Jennies end the season with an overall record of 38-14.
• Central Missouri will say goodbye to four seniors: starting second baseman Brenlyn McCoy, starting center fielder Bailey Fowler, catcher Taylor Nickel and pitch and Sarah Brown.