EDMOND, Okla. (May 19, 2021) - Central Miissouri's season continues in the NCAA Central Region Championships. The Jennies suffered a loss to No. 19 Southern Arkansas in the tournament's opening round, then battled back in an elimination game to shutout Arkansas Tech 3-0.
ROUND 1 - No. 19 Southern Arkansas 1, Central Missouri 0
How it Happened:
• One single hit with a runner on base in the bottom of the first inning was enough for the Muleriders to defeat the Jennies in the first round of the NCAA Central Region Championships.
• Central Missouri recorded the first hit of the game in the opening at-bats as
Bailey Fowler sent a line drive straight back to the center field fence. With two outs,
Makenzie McAtee and
Sydney Wellshear both walked to load the bases. Southern Arkansas recorded the final out of the inning with three Jennies on base.
• Southern Arkansas scored its solo run off one hit in the bottom half of the opening inning. Faith Otts reached on with a hit by pitch, then a blooper to right field by Elisa Favela scored Otts for the Muleriders to take a 1-0 lead.
•
Paige Petefish and the UCM defense held the Muleriders with just one hit through the remaining six innings.
• Central Missouri's offense totaled four more hits and left six runners on base after Southern Arkansas took its 1-0 lead.
• The Jennies out-hit Southern Arkansas 5-2.
Leading the Jennies:
• Center fielder
Bailey Fowler reached on base in all four of her appearances at the plate with a game-high two hits and two walks.
•
Ashlyn Cook,
Jessica Sader, and
Brenlyn McCoy each finished with one hit.
•
Paige Petefish pitched the complete game against the Muleriders. In 22 batters faced, Petefish allowed just two hits, one run, and one walk while striking out four batters.
For the Muleriders:
• Designated player Elisa Favela led Southern Arkansas' offense with her single to right field which drove in the Muleriders lone run.
• Third baseman Faith Otts tied Favela's team-high one hit.
• Victoria Taylor also threw a complete game. Through 30 batters faced, Taylor allowed five hits and threw four walks while striking out a game-high five batters.
ELIMINATION GAME - Central Missouri 3, Arkansas Tech 0
How it Happened:
• It was another single-inning victory in Central Missouri's second game of the regional tournament, however this time it ended in the Jennies favor.
• The Jennies three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning were enough to secure UCM's ninth shutout victory of the season.
•
Paige Petefish and UCM defense allowed four hits and five Arkansas Tech baserunners without giving up a single run.
• Central Missouri recorded its first hit of the game in the bottom of the fourth, where the Jennies scored three runs off two hits and two Golden Sun errors.
•
Bailey Fowler and
Makenzie McAtee both reached on by Arkansas Tech errors, then
Sydney Wellshear was walked to load the bases.
• With bases loaded and just one out, third baseman
Jessica Sader singled up the middle scoring both Fowler and McAtee to give the Jennies a 2-0 lead.
• The Jennies added another before the end of the inning as pinch-hitter Abby Allnurt singled through the left side to score Wellshear which would be UCM's final score of the game.
• The remaining three innings saw two Arkansas Tech hits and one more Jennies hit.
• Petefish and the Jennies defense recorded two fly outs and one ground out in the top of the seventh to end the game 3-0 with one Golden Sun runner left on base.
Leading the Jennies:
•
Abbey Fischer,
Jessica Sader, and
Abby Allnutt were each responsible for UCM's three total hits.
•
Jessica Sader recorded a game-high two RBI with her single in the fourth inning.
•
Paige Petefish pitched her second complete game of the day. Against 26 Golden Sun batters she allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out a game-high four batters.
For the Golden Suns:
• Four different players accounted for Arkansas Tech's four total hits.
• First baseman Makenzie Goins was the only Golden Sun to reach on base in both of her plate appearances with one hit and one walk.
• Maddy Prough pitched 3.1 innings against the Jennies. Against 15 batters she allowed just one hit, three runs, none of which were earned, and two walks while striking out two batters.
News & Notes:
• With the win against Arkansas Tech, the Jennies eliminate the Golden Suns from the Central Region Championships.
•
Paige Petefish's loss in UCM's game against No. 19 Southern Arkansas was her first loss since March 29th when the Jennies suffered a 4-1 loss to No. 1 Augustana.
• Petefish's win against Arkansas Tech is her 17th win of the season. She now posts a season record of 17-4.
•
Bailey Fowler's double against the Muleriders was her 21st of the season. She continues to rank second in Division II for most doubles this season.
Up Next:
Jennies Softball (37-13) has a one-day game break. Central Missouri's next game in the NCAA Central Region Championship Tournament is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 21st with their opponent yet to be determined. Games in the regional tournament resumes tomorrow at noon with the No. 1 seed Augustana taking on No. 4 seed Southern Arkansas.
