Softball splits Sunday contests
UE defeats UT Martin to complete the day
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Sunday’s contests saw the University of Evansville softball team open the day with a 9-5 loss to Western Michigan before the bats came alive in a 14-2 win over UT Martin at Tri-State Orthpaedics Field at Cooper Stadium.
Game 1 – Western Michigan 9, UE 5
Evansville scored three runs in the top of the first and two more in the second to take a 5-2 lead, but it was Western Michigan plating the final seven runs to take a 9-5 victory in Sunday’s opener. Five walks saw the Purple Aces reach base while Taylor Howe and Niki Bode each hit a sacrifice fly to take the early lead.
Western Michigan scored twice in the top of the second, but UE countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. Howe belted a 2-run home run to extend the lead back to three runs. The Broncos inched their way closer with four runs in the next three innings to take a 6-5 edge. They put things out of reach with a 3-run home run in the top of the seventh.
Howe led the way with three RBI while Jess Willsey scored twice. Kate Ridgway made the start, allowing five runs in three innings. Cassidy Gall suffered the loss, giving up four runs in 3 1/3 innings of work. Elle Jarrett recorded the final two outs.
Game 2 – UE 14, UT Martin 2
Game two saw the bats come alive with 14 runs, five home runs and 11 hits as the Aces defeated UT Martin by a final score of 14-2.
Just as they did in game one, the Aces jumped out to the early lead, scoring three times in the bottom half of the first. After Taylor Howe scored on a passed ball, Niki Bode notched a 2-run single to cap a 3-run inning. In the second, Jess Willsey hit a solo homer to push the lead to four.
UT Martin got on the board with a pair of runs in the top of the third before the Aces regained control. Niki Bode hit a solo shot before Morgan Adams followed with a 2-run homer. The long balls continued to fly in the next frame as homers from Howe and Callie Meinel extended the lead even more.
In total, the Aces scored seven runs in the fourth before completing the day with a 14-2 victory in five innings. Bode and Donohoo both recorded three hits apiece with both scoring twice. Bode added three RBI while Howe and Adams registered two apiece. Gracie Hollingsworth went the full five innings on the way to her third win of the season. She gave up two runs on three hits.
UE is back in action on Monday to face Western Michigan at 12:30 p.m. before taking on the Skyhawks at 3 p.m. at Cooper Stadium.
