KEARNEY, Neb. –
Ali Jo Rogers' career day carried the Jennies to a sweep over Nebraska-Kearney Saturday afternoon in Kearney. The Jens took game one, 9-4 and held the Lopers scoreless for six and two-thirds innings, before ultimately winning 6-1. They move over .500 for the season at 10-9 and 3-1 in the MIAA.
Game One: Central Missouri 9, Nebraska-Kearney 4 Rogers supplied the offense for the Jennies smashing two home runs and driving in five runs. For the second straight game, Rogers led off with a homer, staking the Jennies to an early lead. The Jens added another in the first when
Emily King was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Rogers' home runs to lead off back-to-back game are the first since digital statistics were kept, starting in 2003.
The lead disappeared quickly though as Nebraska-Kearney evened things with a two-run home run of their own from Kate Ruwe, three batters into the bottom half of the frame.
The Jens scored in each of the first three innings, and
Alex Leonhart broke the tie with a two-out, bases-clearing three-RBI double in the second. Rogers picked up her second RBI with a single in the third.
After the Lopers got back to within two, 6-4, on a two-RBI single from Makenzi Dallas in the fourth, it was Rogers again generating offense for the Jennies. With two on and two out, Rogers planted her second home run of the game over the center field fence, putting UCM up by the final score 9-4.
Rogers finished the game reaching base four times, collecting three hits, two home runs, five RBI and three runs scored.
Leonhart went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI.
Robinson moved to 5-3 on the season getting the win in the circle. She threw all seven innings allowing four earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and five walks.
Game Two: Central Missouri 6, Nebraska-Kearney 1 Rogers didn't lead off game two with a home run, but she did single and score in the first after Robinson drove her in. Rogers has now led off four straight games by reaching base.
UCM scored in each of the first four innings, as they staked starting pitcher
Jordan Johnson to a six-run lead. In the second,
Makayla Schoonover drove in a run with a fielder's choice. One batter later, it was Rogers again delivering the big hit in the inning. She drove a double down the left field line to score two, her sixth and seventh RBI's of the day.
Central Missouri got a run each in the third and fourth on a
Jill Lucas RBI single and Robinson RBI groundout.
That was all the scoring Johnson needed. She tossed all seven innings allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out one and walking one. She improves to 4-1 this season. The Lopers broke the shutout bid with a two-out RBI double in the seventh.
Rogers finished her career-day going 5-for-6, reaching base eight times in two games with two home runs, a double, seven RBI, five runs scored and a stolen base. She became the first Jennie with two home runs in a game since
Lauren Mabe on April 1, 2014.
Robinson also had two RBI in game two with a double, finishing 1-for-4 at the dish.
Katie Giacone scored two runs.
Central Missouri returns to Warrensburg for the first time this season when they host former MIAA rival Truman State in a nonconference game. First pitch is 3 p.m. Monday, March 7 at Jennies Field.
