PITTSBURG, KAN.. -- For the second straight day, Central Missouri Jennies softball had to settle for a split of an MIAA doubleheader, this time at Pittsburg State, as the Jennies won game one, 6-3, before losing game two in six innings, 10-2.
The Jennies (7-14, 2-2 MIAA) are slated to head to the Missouri Western Regional Crossover Friday, March 18, and Saturday, March 19, in St. Joseph, Mo.
Game 1: Central Missouri 6, Pittsburg State 3
In UCM's 6-3 win in game one, the Jennies broke a 2-2 tie with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning to gain the advantage for the remainder of the contest.
Both runs of the decisive third inning for UCM came via sacrifice flies.
Abbey Fischer hit a sac fly to right that drove in
Peyton Corrigan before
Makenzie McAtee hit a sac fly to center, plating
Aubrie McRoberts for the 4-2 lead.
McAtee went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs to pace the Jennies offensively in game one.
Kyleigh Lay (3-2) earned the win in the circle for UCM after throwing her second complete game of the season and allowing three earned runs on five hits with a career-high-tying 10 strikeouts and just one walk in seven innings.
Taylor Lambert went 2-for-3 with a homer and RBI to lead the Gorillas in the batter's box.
Pittsburg State starter Abby Atkin (5-6) was the losing pitcher in game one after giving up six earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 4 1/3 innings.
Game 2: Pittsburg State 10, Central Missouri 2 (6 innings)
In the Jennies 10-2 setback in game two, the Gorillas (17-8, 2-2 MIAA) scored a combined nine runs in the first and second innings to take control of the game. UCM's only two runs of the game were in the top of the second inning on a Pittsburg State error.
Bailey Lovelace was 2-for-2 at the plate and
Ashlyn Cook tallied a double, leading Central Missouri offensively in game two.
Gentry Wishard (1-3) suffered the loss in the circle, surrendering five earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.
Gabby Schultz went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and drove in three runs, pacing the Gorillas at the plate.
Pittsburg State pitcher Hannah Harrison (7-2) posted the win for game two after giving up two unearned runs on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks in a six-inning, complete game performance.
