May 4, 2007
Bearcats Advance to Second Day of Play in MIAA Softball Tournament
SHAWNEE, Kan. - (L 5-3 vs. WU) (W 1-0 vs. MSSU) (W 8-0 vs. UCM (5)) Northwest Missouri State softball lost its first game, dropped to the loser’s bracket before winning twice today at the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Tournament at the Mid-America West Sports Complex. Northwest lost 5-3 to Washburn before winning 1-0 in eight innings to Missouri Southern and taking down Central Missouri, 8-0 in five frames.In the 5-3 loss to Washburn to start the day, WU pitcher Kayla Long was cruising in the middle innings retiring nine straight batters. Down 1-0, Northwest pinch-hitter Chelsea Terhune drew a two-out walk in the fifth inning. She scored ahead of senior Linellis Santiago-Bernier on a double from senior Lindsay Stephenson.
Washburn tied the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth before Lady Blues centerfielder Ashley Webb knocked a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh.
Kelly Morris relieved starter Cola Krueger in the seventh inning and took the loss.
It was a pitcher’s duel when Northwest met Missouri Southern in the losers’ bracket. With the score tied 0-0 and Northwest posting just four singles heading into the eighth inning, the Bearcats strung together three straight hits to open up the frame. Freshman Kaila Ballard executed the squeeze bunt, which plated Santiago-Bernier for the game-winner.
Morris went the distance going to 12-9 on the season. She struck out a season-tying nine Lions and did not give up a walk.
Against the Jennies of UCM, Krueger shut down the UCM bats giving up two hits and fanning three. She got plenty of offensive support in the early going.
The Bearcats burst out for six runs in the second inning. After a walk to start the inning, six hits ensued highlighted by a grand slam from freshman Erin Leslie, the first of her career. Northwest added two more runs in the third and led 8-0 after three innings and cruised to the game-shortened win.
On the day, Santiago-Bernier went 4-for-8 with four runs scored while Leslie totaled five hits and five RBIs.
Northwest now plays Washburn again tomorrow (Saturday) with first pitch at 12 p.m. from Shawnee, Kan. The winner will play the Emporia State/Missouri Western victor while the loser is eliminated from the tournament.
NOTES: Northwest is ranked No. 8 in the latest North Central Region… Northwest moves to 7-6 this season in 1-run games… In extra innings, Northwest stands 2-1 this season… Janelle Krohn’s homer against Central Missouri was her first since April 4 against Truman State – a span of 19 games… Erin Leslie’s grand slam against UCM was the team’s first such bomb this year.
 |
|
 |