MARYVILLE, Missouri – The Northwest Missouri State University softball team topped Illinois Springfield in a doubleheader Sunday. The Bearcats won game one 9-8 and game two 14-6.
Game One
Illinois Springfield scored on an error in the first inning to grab an early 1-0 lead over the Bearcats.
The Prairie Stars hit a two-run homer in the top of the second inning to push their lead to 3-0.
In the bottom of the second inning, Karli Allen homered to left center to start the momentum for the Bearcats. Shortly after, Olivia Daugherty hit a grand slam to center field to give the Bearcats the lead, 5-3.
The Bearcats scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Kaitlyn Weis homered to right field. Madison Friest was walked, allowing Erin Keeney to score. Grace Jeffries grounded out to the shortstop, but brought in Allen to score to push the Bearcat lead to 8-3.
Illinois Springfield scored one run in the top of the fourth inning off a RBI to make the score 8-4.
The Prairie Stars rallied in the top of the seventh inning scoring four runs and tying the game, 8-8.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Jeffries hit a RBI single to give Northwest the 9-8 win in game one.
Game Two
To start the first inning for the Bearcats, Olivia Daugherty homered to right field to give Northwest an early 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second inning, Daugherty hit a two-RBI single to bring in Ady Watts and Abby Nolte to score. Next at bat, Sydne Brashear hit a RBI single to center field, allowing Jacee Winn to score. Kaitlyn Weis then hit a RBI single to the pitcher, which allowed Daugherty to score and push the Bearcat lead to 5-0.
Winn singled to the pitcher and brought in Karli Allen to score to make it 6-0.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bearcats had four runs off five hits. Nolte doubled through the left side allowing Erin Keeney and Weis to score. Next at bat, Watts singled to right field to bring in Allen to score. Jeffries then hit a RBI single to left field to advance the Bearcat lead 10-0.
The Prairie Stars scored six runs in the top of the fifth inning to pull within four at 10-6.
The Bearcats answered in the bottom of the fifth inning scoring four more runs. Allen hit a three-run homer to left field. Watts sealed the win with a RBI single to right field to end game two 14-6.
The Bearcats move to 9-13 overall on the season.
The Bearcats will be on the road next weekend as they will be traveling to Warrensburg and Jefferson City to face Central Missouri and Lincoln.
NOTES: Daugherty leads the team with a batting average of .390. She has six doubles, five home runs and 17 RBI. Weis is slugging a .359 average with four doubles, eight home runs and 20 RBI. Jeffries isn't far behind with a .353 average and two doubles with eight RBI.
--- Northwest Athletics ---