OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Jennies dropped their opening round game to Central Oklahoma, but bounced back with a win over Fort Hays State to advance in the MIAA Tournament.
The Bronchos walked off in game one on an RBI fielders choice. After loading the bases with one out in the ninth, a ground ball on the infield was enough to score the winning run.
Central Missouri let a 7-1 lead slip away as the Bronchos tied the game with a six-run fifth.
The Jennies got on the board first scoring three in the opening inning, getting back-to-back two-out RBI singles from
Emily Robinson and
Lauren Mabe.
After the Bronchos got one back in the bottom of the first, the Jens padded their lead with runs in the third and fourth.
Lauren Mabe launched a two-run home run and
Alexis Koop's RBI double gave UCM a 6-1 lead.
Emily King added a solo shot to lead off the fourth inning.
UCO scored one in the fourth before exploding for six in the fifth. JoBi Heath and Shelby Carel each hit two-run home runs in the inning and two two-out RBI singles gave UCO their first lead, 8-7.
The Jens came back to tie with a run in the sixth on King's RBI infield single. They threatened to take the lead in the eighth when King lined a two-out triple, but couldn't score.
A leadoff double in the ninth got the Bronchos started. A bunt moved the runner to third with one out. The Jennies walked the next two batters and got the ground ball they were looking for, but it was in a good enough place for UCO to score the winning run and complete the 9-8 comeback.
Robinson got the start for the Jennies and allowed six runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings with a strikeout and five walks. Tonyan came on to pitch four innings in relief and took the loss.
King finished the game 3-for-4 with a triple and home run, two RBI and a run scored. Mabe, also connected for a home run and had three RBI.
Central Missouri's second game of the night proved to be more of a pitchers duel with the Jens earning a 1-0 victory over the Tigers of Fort Hays State.
Hailey Crabtree doubled to center field with one out in the first inning for the Jennies, but was left stranded.
In the third inning, Koop doubled to left field and advanced to thrid on a sac bunt. However, the Jens could not bring her home.
In the fourth inning the Jens had runners on second and third with only one out, but a pair of strikeouts ended the threat.
The Jennies scored the game's only run in the seventh inning when
Katie Giacone hit a one-out single to right field, then stole second base. She was then brought home by
Ali Jo Rogers when she singled up the middle.
Tonyan went the distance in game two, giving up only six hits over the seven innings.
The Jens move to 28-26 after today's action.
The Jens are back in action tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. against Pitt State.
