Saturday, February 11, 2017

MSSU softball splits pair at West Texas Invitational

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Canyon, Texas - The Missouri Southern Softball Lions split their final games at the 2017 West Texas A&M Lady Buffs Invitational Saturday afternoon at Schaffer Park.

Fort Hays State
Southern opened the day with a come from behind win over MIAA rival Fort Hays State scoring nine runs in the top of the 7th for the 16-14 win.  FHSU got the scoring started in the bottom of the first with a two run home run and then added two more in the next frame on a bases loaded walk and RBI single to left for the early 4-0 lead. Southern got on the board in the top of the third inning with a bases loaded single up the middle by junior Abi Corbett followed by two straight bases loaded walks to make it 4-3 Tigers after three innings. Junior Myranda Stewart drew yet another bases loaded walk to tie the game at 4-4 and fellow junior Shelby Friend laced a two RBI single to center to give the Lions a 6-4 lead. Fort Hays State answered right back with three runs in the home half of the fourth and two in the fifth to take a 9-6 lead. Senior Sydney Koch (pictured) scored on a passed ball in the top of the sixth to make it 9-7 before a three run home run in the bottom of the sixth made it 12-7 Fort Hays State. The Lions' offense woke up in the top of the seventh that started with a bases loaded walk to sophomore Ashley Caldarella. Koch stroked a bases clearing double to left center that made it 12-11. A single to center by Stewart that scored Koch tied the game at 12-12 and Friend's single to right scored senior Sarah Morrison to give Southern the lead at 13-12. The Lions tacked on three more runs on bases loaded walks to sophomore Bailey Skelton, freshman Erika Lutgen, and sophomore Angel Badalamenti for the 16-12 lead. Fort Hays tacked on two runs in the bottom of the seventh as their rally was cut short but a force out at second to end the game.

Freshman Mikaela Cox got the start for the Lions going four and two-thirds innings allowing seven earned runs on 12 hits with two walks and one strike out. Friend pitched one and a third innings in relief to get the win allowing four earned runs on four hits and sophomore Taurean Guzman pitched one inning in relief for the save giving up just one earned run on three hits with one walk.

#4 West Texas A&M
Fourth ranked West Texas A&M got on the board in the bottom of the opening frame with a two RBI double down the right field line for the early 2-0 lead. The Lady Buffs added five more runs in the bottom of the second to go up 7-0 before adding a run in the bottom of the fourth for the 8-0 lead. Southern ended the WTAMU streak of scoreless innings at 30 when Morrison singled to center field to score freshman Emily Harris. Corbett singled home Koch on a line drive to left center and Stewart scored Morrison on a single to right that popped out of a sliding Lady Buffs glove. WTAMU ended the game in the bottom of the fifth with five runs for the 13-3 run rule victory.

On The Day
Badalamenti led the Lions with a .750 batting average going 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and three walks for an on base percentage of .857. Koch finished the day 4-for-6 (.667) at the dish with four runs scored and two doubles for a slugging percentage of 1.000 and three RBIs. Corbett finished the day once again above .600 (.625) at the plate going 5-for-8 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Caldarella and Stewart both finished the day 3-for-6 at the dish and Stewart led the team in RBIs on the day with four.

On The Weekend
Corbett led the team going 12-for-19 for a .632 hitting percentage and Morrison finished 9-for-18 with six runs scored and both Corbett and Morrison had three RBIs. Stewart led the team with seven RBIs and Friend finished six. Koch led the team in extra bases hits with two doubles and a home run while going 6-for-15 (.400) at the plate.

Up Next
The Lions will take part in the UAM Division II Classic in Bentonville Feb. 17-19. First game on Friday is against Drury at 11 a.m.

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