WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Southwest Minnesota State University softball team closed out its spring trip by splitting a pair of games on Wednesday, first suffering a 3-0 loss to McKendree (Ill.) before defeating Wayne State (Mich.) 2-1 at the DiamondPlex.
SMSU moves to 9-14 on the year and finishes with an overall record of 6-6 at THE Spring Games.
Karlie Miller (5-7) was dealt the loss to the Bearcats, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with three walks while striking out six in a complete game. Paige McAllister (7-4) earned the victory, shutting out the Mustangs in a complete game. McAllister allowed just three hits and one walk, striking out four.
MCK started the scoring in the first inning by using a Mustang error to plate an unearned run and take an early 1-0 lead. The Bearcats kept their foot on the gas in the second inning cashing in a run with two outs. Lauren Harris knocked a single up through the right side to plate the runner from second and push the lead to 2-0.
The Bearcats tacked on their final run in the fifth inning via sac fly. Holding the Mustangs hit-less for the final two innings of play.
SMSU totaled just three hits in the contest, with
Abby Russell,
Jillian Noel, and
Brynn Webber all tallying a hit.
Morgyn Otte (4-5) pitched a clean game against the Warriors, allowing no earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out one batter. Sydney Long (4-3) was tabbed with the loss allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out three.
SMSU earned the first run of the game after singles from
Mikayla Berge and
Abby Russell put a runner in scoring position. After
Jillian Noel moved Berge to third on a sac fly, the Mustangs scored on a double steal when the Warriors catcher overthrew second base, plating the runner from third and giving SMSU the early 1-0 lead.
The next SMSU run came in the bottom of the fifth with
Riley Kramolisch reaching first on a bunt to get the offense going.
Mikayla Berge advanced Kramolisch on a sacrifice bunt and
Abby Russell doubled down the right-field line to move her to third.
Jillian Noel pushed a deep ball to right field and scored Kramolisch on the sac fly.
WSU attempted a comeback in the seventh inning starting with reaching first on an error. Back-to-back singles up the middle scored the runner from second and cut the Mustang lead to 2-1. A sac bunt moved the baserunners into scoring position and increased the threat of a comeback. A grounder to third held the runner and locked in the second out before the final Warrior batter grounded out to first base to end the game.
SMSU opens its 28-game NSIC schedule next Saturday, March 23, hosting Bemidji State for a doubleheader on Mustang Field with first pitch of game one at 1 p.m.
