Softball Splits with MUW in Extra Innings

CARLINVILLE, IL – Blackburn College Softball took St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference leader Mississippi University for Women to extra innings in both games and came back from a tough loss in the ninth inning of the opener to capture the second game 7-6 to split their series and improve their postseason odds.

Senior Zoe Mitchell and junior Kenadee Frey led the team with four hits each. Mitchell posted two doubles and a triple while scoring two runs and added one more run batted in. Frey tallied three doubles along with three rbi's and also scored a run.

Senior Sierra Hiser hit two doubles and knocked in a team-best four rbi's.

In the pitching circle, Shelby Koening threw 10 strikeouts in 13 innings, allowing just three earned runs.

In the opening game, MUW scored the first run of the game during the fourth inning but BC answered in the sixth. Senior Kailynn Kruep reached first on an error and was able to reach third on the play. After two singles filled the bases, Frey hit a sacrifice fly to score Kruep and tie the game at 1-1.

Neither team scored again until the ninth inning. MUW managed to score two runs in the top of the inning to move ahead 3-1. In the bottom of the inning, Mitchell was placed on second to start the inning and Frey knocked her in with a double. Unfortunately, the Beavers were unable to score again and dropped the opener 3-2.

The nightcap featured the Owls scoring one in the opening inning before BC responded in a big way during the third inning.

Freshman Alexis Weber opened the inning with a walk and scored off Mitchell's triple. Frey followed with a double to score Mitchell and give Blackburn their first lead of the day at 2-1.

After a pitching change, freshman Addison Ruyle walked before freshman Kharma Giles singled to load the bases. Freshman Kendal Maddox came up next and singled which allowed Frey to score. Hiser then hit a double and scored Maddox, Giles and Ruyle and moved the Beavers ahead 6-1.

MUW came back with three runs in the fifth and a run in both the sixth and seventh innings to tie and force extra innings again. Blackburn kept the Owls scoreless in the top of the eight. In the bottom of the inning, Giles was placed on second and advanced to third on a bunt from Maddox. Hiser came up and hit a ball that resulted in an error by MUW which allowed Giles to score the game-winning run.

Blackburn is now 17-19 on the season and are one game back of Eureka College for the final spot in the SLIAC Conference Tournament. The Beavers will head to Eureka Wednesday in an important SLIAC matchup.