Location: Columbia, Missouri (SC Softball Field)
Score: Stephens College 7, Mission University 5
Stephens College 6, Mission University 2
Springfield, Missouri- The Lady Patriots lost the opener in the bottom of the seventh inning and then never quite got their offense on track in the second game of the doubleheader with the Stephens College Stars. In the opener, Stephens College scored a single run in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead. The Lady Patriots came alive in the top of the third inning, scoring two and taking a 2-1 lead, their only lead of the game.
Courtney Merrell reached first on an error by the third baseman.
Kloe Hendrickson was next and worked a walk from the pitcher. After a MU out,
Apryl Zeno singled to left field to load the bases.
Maddie Good singled to right field next, driving in both Merrell and Hendrickson. The Stars came back to tie the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning. Stephens took the lead back in the bottom of the fourth inning, 3-2. The Stars tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to post a 5-2 advantage. The Lady Patriots scrapped and clawed in the top of the seventh inning in an attempt to stay in the game. Hendrickson started the inning off by reaching base on an error by the centerfielder.
Cole Smith singled to right field, pushing Hendrickson to second.
Sequoia Cronlund came in to run for Smith. Zeno garnered a walk to load the bases. Good grounded out to first for an RBI as Hendrickson came in to score. Now with runners at second and third,
Jocelyn Cunningham came up with a clutch hit as she singled to center field driving in both runners to tie the game, 5-5. Unfortunately, the rally stopped there as the next two Lady Pats grounded out. The Stars bounced back and scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to win the game.
Highlights-
In the second game of the doubleheader, Mission took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning, but could not hold on.
Apryl Zeno began the attack in the second inning with a single to center field.
Maddie Good followed with another single to center.
Brookelyn Cline came in to run for Good. Both runners were able to complete a double steal. The next two Lady Patriots hit the ball well, but were outs.
Tessa Cline then lined a double to right field that scored both runners. The Stars countered with two runs in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game, 2-2. Neither squad scored in the fourth inning, but the Stars used five hits to score four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 6-2 advantage. The Lady Pats only were able to muster one hit, a triple by
Courtney Merrell, in the final two innings as they dropped the doubleheader.
Highlights-
- Courtney Merrell, 1 for 4, and 1 Triple.
- Tessa Cline, 1 for 3, 1 Double, and 2 RBIs.
- Cole Smith, 1 for 3, and, 1 Walk.
- Apryl Zeno, 1 for 3, 1 Run scored, and 1 Stolen Base.
- Maddie Good, 1 for 3.
- Jocelyn Cunningham, 1 for 3.
- Karissa Roberts, 1 for 3.
- Maddie Hanger, 1 for 3.
Up Next-
The Lady Patriots stay on the road, and in Columbia, as they face off against Columbia College in a doubleheader, Saturday 12. Game times are 1 and 3 pm.
