SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – The Northwest Missouri State University softball team finished the Drury Invitational Sunday with two more wins. The Bearcats are now on a four-game win streak with a 12-4 triumph over Newman and a 5-1 victory over Southwest Baptist.
Game One vs. Newman, W 12-4
Olivia Daugherty singled to the shortstop in the first inning to start the momentum. Jacee Winn reached on a fielder's choice and then advanced to third from two errors from the Jets defense. Daugherty scored off one of the errors. Shortly after, Kali Allen hit a RBI single to bring in Winn to score and give Northwest an early 2-0 lead.
In the top of the second inning, Daugherty reached base on an error by the third baseman pushing Grace Jeffries to second. Winn then reached base on an error by the shortstop, bringing in Jeffries to score. Next at bat, Kaitlyn Weis hit a RBI single to allow Daugherty to score. Erin Keeney then hit a three-run homer to push the Bearcat lead to 7-0.
Jeffries hit a RBI single to the shortstop to bring in Alexis Kump to score in the top of the third inning and advance their lead to 8-0.
The Jets answered in the bottom of the third inning scoring three runs to cut Northwest's lead, 8-3.
In the top of the fourth inning, Kump hit a three-run blast to advance the Bearcat lead to 11-3 over the Jets.
Newman scored off a RBI in the bottom of the fifth inning to make the score 11-4.
Keeney homered for the second time in the game in the sixth to secure the 12-4 win over Newman.
Game Two vs. Southwest Baptist, W 5-1
Southwest Baptist got on the board first with a run from a passed ball in the first inning.
In the top of the third inning, Jacee Winn grounded out to the pitcher but allowed Grace Jeffries to score and tie the game, 1-1.
In the top of the fifth inning, Olivia Daugherty hit a two-run homer. Winn then hit a single and stole second. Next at bat, Kaitlyn Weis hit a RBI double, bringing in Winn to score and give Northwest the lead at 4-1.
Jeffries reached base on an error by the center fielder to start the seventh inning. Jeffries then stole second. Daugherty then hit a RBI single to allow Jeffries to score and give Northwest the 5-1 win over Southwest Baptist.
Northwest moves to 7-11 overall on the season and swept the Drury Invitational with four wins.
The Bearcats will host Missouri Western and Illinois Springfield next weekend for their home opener.
NOTES: Daugherty leads the team in batting average with a .424. She has six doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI. Weis is slugging a .355 average with four doubles, five home runs and 15 RBI. Keeney has a .295 average with three doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI.
--- Northwest Athletics ---