HAYS, Kan. (Mar. 6, 2020) - Central Missouri Softball opened MIAA play with a road sweep against Fort Hays State Friday night. The Jennies took game one 5-2 then defeated the Tigers 4-3 in the second.
Game 1 - Central Missouri 5, Fort Hays State 2
How It Happened:
• Both the Jennies and the Tigers only recorded one hit in the first three innings of the MIAA opener.
• Central Missouri was the first to score in the top of the fourth as
Bailey Fowler scored after a Tiger error fielding on
Makenzie Cooper's ground ball to the infield.
• The Jennies didn't hold onto their lead for long as
Paige Petefish walked FHSU's Grace Philop with bases loaded.
•
Ashlyn Cook regained the Jens lead in the top of the fifth. With runners on second and third, Cook singled to right-center, scoring
Lauryn Deer and
Carson Staponski to give UCM a 3-1 lead.
• Central Missouri increased their lead over the Tigers with two more runs in the top of the sixth. A deep sacrifice fly by
Abbey Fischer scored pinch-runner
Amolee Hawkins, then a passed ball scored pinch-hitter
Lexi Parks.
• Down by four, FHSU scored what would be the final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth. • With two outs and runners on second and third, UCM allowed a single up the middle. The Tigers were able to score one before Deer threw out the second runner out at the plate.
• Petefish and the Jennies defense finished game one with three consecutive outs to defeat FHSU 5-2.
• Both the Jennies and the Tigers recorded seven hits, five singles and two doubles.
• Central Missouri was 3-3 on stolen base attempts while FHSU never attempted to run on the Jennies catcher, Staponski.
Leading the Jennies:
• Cook led UCM with two hits in four at bats. The right fielder also drove in the game-high two RBI.
• In the circle for the Jens, Petefish allowed two runs, three walks and seven Tiger hits while striking out four.
For the Tigers:
• Katie Alder led FHSU with two hits and one RBI.
• Michaelanne Nelson threw 5.1 innings for the Tigers, allowing six hits, five runs and two walks. Nelson also recorded five strikeouts against the Jens, four of which were looking.
Game 2 - Central Missouri 4, Fort Hays State 3
How It Happened:
• Cook stayed hot moving into game two with a single to right field.
• After Cook stole second, she was hit home on a single up the middle by Wellshear to put the Jennies on the board.
• Wellshear then found her way home on a double down the left line by Fowler. Jennies led 2-0 heading into the bottom of the first.
• Fort Hays cut UCM's lead down to one as the Tigers scored one run off three hits with two runners left on base in the bottom half of the inning.
• Wellshear opened the top of the third with a double down the third base line. The first baseman was then hit home on a single by the middle by Cooper. Jennies led 3-1.
• The Tigers put up two runs off two hits and one UCM error in the bottom of the third to tie the game 3-3.
• After a quiet fourth inning, Fowler opened the top of the fifth with a single, then made her way to third after a throwing error by the catcher.
• Fowler scored on a wild pitch to regain the Jennies a lead at 4-3.
•
Gentry Wishard came in to relieve
Alexa Bradley in the bottom of the fifth. Wishard and the UCM defense held the Tigers with bases loaded to save the Jennies lead.
• Central Missouri opened the top of the seventh with three consecutive singles from
Makenzie McAtee, Fowler and Cooper.
• Hailey Chapman and the FHSU defense held the Jens with bases loaded.
• Petefish returned to the circle for the Jennies in the bottom of the seventh with one Tiger runner on base and no outs.
• Petefish recorded back-to-back strikeouts in the bottom of the seventh to secure the Jennies 4-3 victory.
Leading the Jennies:
• Fowler went 4-4 with three singles and a double. The second baseman also finished with one RBI, one run scored and had one stolen base.
• Cooper, Cook and Wellshear each finished with two hits.
• Wellshear scored the game-high two runs.
• Bradley faced 23 batters in 4.1 innings, allowing two walks, three runs and six Tiger hits.
For the Tigers:
• Lily Sale, Alexis Velazquez and Sara Breckbill led the Tigers with two hits each.
• Velazquez finished with the team-high two RBI.
• Chapman threw all seven innings for the Tigers, allowing two walks, four runs and 12 hits while striking out six.
News & Notes:
• Central Missouri has won the last eight straight games against FHSU.
• In two games, the Jennies left 17 runners on base while finishing 8-28 with runners in scoring position.
• After 13 games, Wellshear remains as the only Jennies to post a batting average over .500.
Up Next:
Jennies Softball (9-4, 2-0 MIAA) returns to action Saturday, March 7, to take on the Lopers of Nebraska-Kearney in another MIAA doubleheader. Game one is scheduled to begin at noon in Kearney, Neb.
