Ridgway’s gem not enough as Aces drop opener to Bears
Doubleheader set for Saturday
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Freshman Kate Ridgway allowed just two runs on five hits in six innings of work on Friday, but two late runs saw Missouri State defeat the University of Evansville softball team by a final score of 2-0 in the series opener.
A pitcher’s duel ensued as Ridgway and McKenzie Vaughan held the opposing offenses in check through the first 5 ½ innings. The Bears plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth before completing the shutout.
Niki Bode recorded a hit for the Purple Aces in the top of the first while Brooke Voss reached on a hit in the second. Missouri State registered its first hit of the day in the bottom of the fourth. In the top of the fifth, UE looked to break the scoreless tie as Miriah Powell reached on a 1-out walk before Kynadee Warner singled with two outs. A foul out ended the threat.
Morgan Adams led the top of the sixth off with a double, but a fly out and two groundouts kept things scoreless. The Bears capitalized in the bottom of the frame as two RBI singles gave them the lead.
Vaughan allowed just four UE hits while Ridgway held the Bears to five hits.
The squads will decide the series with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.
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