MSSU softball splits pair with Washburn

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Topeka, Kan. - The Missouri Southern softball team held the Washburn Ichabods scoreless a single run towards a 3-0 victory before falling to the Ichabods in a one-run game two by 4-3 inside the confines of Hummer Sports Park and Patty Dick Fields Sunday afternoon.

Game One

The pitching trio of Taurean Guzman (5.0), Meredith Iden (1.2), and Abby Atkin (0.1) secured the 3-0 shutout for the Lions (12-15, 3-7 MIAA), allowing a combined seven hits on 31 batters faced throughout the entire game. Guzman's performance earned her the win and second shutout of the season to put her at a 5-4 record in the circle.

In the second inning, freshman Tori Frazier bunted a ball to the pitcher which allowed Ashley Caldarella to score from third with two outs and put the Lions up 1-0.

WU (15-17, 6-2 MIAA) struggled to score as right fielder Sidnie Hurst threw out a runner out trying to get home from second in the bottom of the fourth. Then left fielder Elizabeth Windsor gunned down another runner trotting home from second base to preserve the Lions 1-0 advantage in bottom of the sixth. The Ichabods had two runners on base in both situations.

Southern tacked on two runs in the top of the seventh off of two doubles from Emily Harris and Hurst towards the win. Josie Tofpi led the squad with a 2-for-4 showing at the plate.

Game Two

MSSU struck first with Erika Lutgen driving in Hurst on a fielder's choice to end its half of the inning up 1-0. WU matched in the bottom of the second on an RBI-single and tie the game at 1-1 in the early going.

Both teams went scoreless through the third and fourth innings until the Ichabods registered three runs in the bottom of the fifth to break the tie and take a three-run lead into the sixth (4-1).

The Lions pulled to within one run (4-3) after two doubles by Windsor and Tofpi to cut the deficit to two in the sixth inning. Lutgen capped the inning off with an RBI-single. Washburn hung on to the one-run advantage in the end to conclude Sunday's events with the game-two win.

On Deck

Softball travels to Emporia, Kansas for a doubleheader versus the Hornets tomorrow at 2:00 pm before returning home to host Southwest Baptist on Wednesday at 3:00 pm.