Softball falls in doubleheader at Missouri State
Aces back on the road next weekend at Valparaiso
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Saturday’s doubleheader saw the University of Evansville softball team fall in both contests at Missouri State. Following a 9-0 game to open the day, a late rally by the Bears saw them take the second game by a final of 4-3 in eight innings.
Game 1 – Missouri State 9, UE 0
Scoring seven runs in the second inning, Missouri State opened the day with a 9-0 victory in five innings. Miriah Powell was Evansville’s first baserunner, reaching on a single to center field in the top half of the second. Highlighting the rally for MSU was a 3-run home run by McKenzie Vaughan.
Looking for a rally, the Purple Aces got back to work in the third with Taylor Howe reaching on a 1-out single before a double play ended the inning. Niki Bode added a single in the fourth before Powell doubled in the fifth, but UE could not get its first run across.
Two runs by MSU finished off the game in the bottom of the fifth. Makenzi Swick earned the win for the Bears, allowing four hits in five innings of work. Two of those hits came off the bat of Powell. Cassidy Gall made the start for UE, allowing five runs, none of which were earned, on five hits in 1 2/3 innings. Kate Ridgway tossed the final 2 2/3 frames with four runs, two earned, scoring for MSU.
Game 2 – Missouri State 4, UE 3
Scoring the final four runs of the game, Missouri State clinched the series sweep with a 4-3 win in game two.
After recording three hits in the first two innings, the Aces pushed their first three runs across in the top of the third. Taylor Howe reached on a leadoff single before Niki Bode singled with two outs. Eliza Piggott doubled to bring in the opening two runs of the day while Callie Meinel added an RBI hit to make it a 3-0 game.
In the fifth, Missouri State tied the game with three runs. After scoring two runs, it appeared that MSU tied the game on a close play at home as Jess Willsey attempted to throw out the runner. The call was overturned in Evansville’s favor to keep the game at 3-2, but MSU would later tie the game.
Following a scoreless 7th frame, Evansville looked to retake the lead in the 8th. Jenna Donohoo singled with one out and was pinch run for by Cassidy Gall. With two outs, Howe doubled to left field. Looking to score, the Bears threw the runner out at the plate to end the inning before scoring the winning run in the bottom of the frame.
Gracie Hollingsworth threw the full game with four runs, two earned, scoring. Evansville accumulated 13 hits in the game with How going 4-5. Callie Meinel was a perfect 3-3. UE is back on the road next weekend for a 3-game series at Valparaiso.
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