KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (March 4, 2017) - Central Missouri Softball played its first doubleheader of the 2017 season, a nonconference battle with in-state rival Truman State. The Bulldogs tossed shutouts in both games, winning by scores of 13-0 and 6-0. Central Missouri falls to 6-13 on the season.

Game One: Truman State 13, Central Missouri 0 - 5 innings
Central Missouri got three runners on base in the opening inning, including two hits but couldn't score a run.
 
In the bottom half, Truman State came back with a six-run inning thanks in-part to four hits and two UCM errors. The Bulldogs did one better in the second inning, scoring seven, getting five straight RBI hits.
 
Alexa Bradley started for the Jennies. She allowed all 13 runs, nine earned on 13 hits in 1.1 innings. Katie Giacone ended the second and pitched the next two innings for UCM, allowing three hits and no runs with three strikeouts. Her record falls to 2-7 this season.
 
Central Missouri scratched out eight hits in five innings. Hailey Crabtree had two, including a double. UCM's best chance to score came in the fourth inning. Giacone knocked a single to right center, but Carlie Rose was gunned down at the plate.

Nicolette Simpson got the win for TSU, throwing four shutout innings and giving up just seven hits. Lex VanNostrand went 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored.

Game Two: Truman State 6, Central Missouri 0

Things didn't get much better for the UCM offense in game two. Giacone got the start for the Jens and matched TSU pitcher Lauren Dale as the game was scoreless through two innings.

The Bulldogs got a run in the third and two in the fourth, all of them unearned.

The Jens had a chance to break into the lead in the sixth, loading the bases with nobody out. Dale escaped the jam though getting a foul pop-up double-play as Courtni Smith was thrown out at the plate trying to score. Dale got a groundout from the next batter to keep UCM off the board.

In the bottom half of the inning, TSU added three insurance runs on one swing, a home run from Alyssa Rivera to left, putting the Bulldogs up 6-0.

Giacone went the distance for UCM giving up all six runs, three earned in six innings. She allowed six hits and four walks and struck out two.

The Jens mustered just four hits in the game, two coming from Lauren Mabe.

Dale got the win for the Bulldogs with a seven-inning complete game shutout. She struck out five while walking two and allowed four hits. Rivera had the biggest hit in the game and also scored two runs.

Central Missouri plays their first home game of 2017. It is also their MIAA opener Saturday, March 11 against Southwest Baptist. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.