BENTONVILLE, Ark. (Feb. 18, 2017) - Central Missouri Softball's offense struggled, scoring one run in losses to Henderson State and No. 24 Missouri-St. Louis Saturday afternoon at the Eight-State Classic. The losses are the fourth in a row for the Jens and put them at 5-10 on the year.
Game One: Henderson State 5, Central Missouri 1
Henderson State scored five straight runs, all of them unearned in the 5-1 win in the Jennies first game of the day. The Reddies scored their first two on a two-out two-RBI single, after the inning was extended by a two-out error.
HSU plated three more two innings later. The inning started with a runner reaching on a throwing error. The Reddies again got another big two-out hit, to drive in a pair of runs, extending their lead to 5-0.
The Jennies finally got on the board in fifth when
Makayla Schoonover singled, stole a base and scored on a single from
Courtni Smith. That was all the offense UCM could muster, as they collected just three hits.
Alexa Bradley started for the Jens and allowed all five unearned runs. She gave up four hits while striking out two and walking one.
Katie Giacone came on in relief to throw 2.1 hitless innings, striking out three and giving up two walks.
The bottom of the Reddies order did the most damage. Nine-hole hitter Shayla Wright was 2-2 with three RBI and Ashleigh Erb finished 1-3 with two runs and an RBI.
Michelle Sorensen earned the win in the circle. She pitched all seven innings giving up the one run on three hits with eight strikeouts and three walks.
Game Two: No. 24 Missouri-St. Louis 4, Central Missouri 1
A three-run second inning gave the Tritons all the offense they needed in their 4-1 win. Serena Olson started the scoring with a two-run home run. UMSL added another run in the frame on a triple and an RBI single.
The Jens got one back a half inning later in the third when
Hailey Crabtree scored
Lauryn Deer with a single. The Jens only picked up one more hit the rest of the way, while the Tritons added an insurance run in the fifth for the 4-1 final.
Giacone got the start for the Jennies and tossed her first career complete game. She gave up four runs on seven hits with six walks and a career-high seven strikeouts.
Deer reached base twice for the Jens on a pair of walks. As did Crabtree who was 1-2 with a single, walk and an RBI.
Andee Tiffee shut down the Jennies offense. She went the distance allowing one run on three hits with four walks and 14 strikeouts. Olson finished 2-4 at the plate with a run and two RBI and Alex Stupek went 3-3 with two runs scored and a walk.
The Jennies have two games left in Bentonville tomorrow morning. They take on Illinois-Springfield and Minnesota State-Mankato. Those games are scheduled to start at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
