CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Central Missouri Jennies (16-17, 5-7 MIAA) split a pair of games with No.3 Rogers State Hillcats (27-5, 11-1 MIAA) by final scores of 4-2 and 1-0 (8 inn.) on Friday, March 29, from the Diamond Sports Complex in Claremore, Okla.
The Jens return to the diamond on Saturday, March 30, as they continue MIAA play on the road with a doubleheader against the Northeastern State RiverHawks (6-23, 1-11 MIAA) with first pitch of game one scheduled for 12:00 p.m. from RiverHawks Park in Tahlequah, Okla.
Game 1: Central Missouri 4, No. 3 Rogers State 2
The Hillcats jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first, but UCM responded in the top of the fifth with a pinch-hit grand slam from
MaKenzie Cooper (her first of the season) that scored
Laney Killpack,
Halle Howes, and
Aubrie McRoberts.
RSU answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning but were unable to complete a comeback as
Paige Petefish (5-5) gets the victory in the circle allowing six hits and two runs in 4 1/3 innings while
Andi Siebeneck picks up her third save of the year in one inning of relief.
Designated player
Hayden Serna paced UCM offensively, collecting a multi-hit game while seven other Jens reached base safely en route to ending the Hillcats' 16-game winning streak. With the win, Central Missouri captured their first victory over a top-five opponent since defeating (then ranked No. 4) Central Oklahoma on April 8 of last season in Edmond by a final score of 3-2 (9 inn.).
Game 2: No. 3 Rogers State 1, Central Missouri 0 (8 inn.)
The Hillcats scored the lone run of the contest in the bottom of the eighth inning off the bat of Bridgett Morales as freshman
Brooke Weimer (6-9) suffered the loss in the circle allowing just six hits and striking out eight batters for good measure.
Second baseman
Taylor Thompson led UCM offensively going 2-for-4 at the plate while
Halle Howes,
Jadyn Sheffield, and Killpack also reached base safely in the ballgame.
