SUNDAY'S RESULTS
Monmouth 2,
Eastern Kentucky 1 (8)
Belmont 4, Miami (Ohio) 2
Belmont 9, Western Illinois 8
Southeast Missouri 7, Buffalo 6 (8)
Southeast Missouri 3, Alcorn State 2
Eastern Illinois 14, @North Florida 12 (9)
Murray State 9, Butler 4
Murray State 13, McNeese State 5 (6)
UT Arlington 3,
Morehead State 0
@Southeastern Louisiana 4,
Morehead State 2
SIUE 5, Mercer 2
Iowa State 2,
@Tennessee State 0
IUPUI 5, T
ennessee Tech 3
MONMOUTH 2, EASTERN KENTUCKY 1
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – An eighth inning Hawk run was the difference in a 2-1 loss, as the Eastern Kentucky University softball team was upended by Monmouth University Sunday in its final game of the Wyndham Garden Cougar Classic.
After the Hawks’ runner started at second per extra innings protocol, a successful sacrifice moved the runner to third with no outs. Justene Reyes had the green light, taking the first pitch to left field which was deep enough to score Alex Holzman, giving Monmouth a 2-1 lead.
Freshman Mollie Paulick and the Colonel defense held Monmouth to the lone run in the eighth, as Paulick logged her third strikeout of the day.
In the home half of the eighth, consecutive outs put the Colonels down to their last chance, as sophomore Hannah Clark worked the count to draw a walk and put the tying run on. However, EKU could not convert.
Paulick and the Colonel defense held the Hawks scoreless through the first six innings until Monmounth got on the board in the top of the seventh to take a 1-0 lead. A two out double from Nicole Wieczorke put a runner on for Monmouth. Wieczorke stole third, before a passed ball put the Hawks in front.
The EKU offense quickly responded with the tying run in the bottom half of the inning and threatened with the game winning run.
Freshman Sydney Vaughn slapped a leadoff double to center field to put one on for the Colonels with no outs. However, back-to-back strikeouts put Eastern down to its last out before senior Amber Murray singled to the gap in right center to put runners at the corners with two outs.
Murray swiped second before taking third on an off target throw, which scored Vaughn and knotted the game at one. A groundout ended the inning, stranding Murray at third.
Paulick went the distance for the Colonels, scattering six hits on the day and walking one.
Monmouth’s Amanda Riley tossed eight innings, striking out 11 and allowing just four hits.
The Colonels will play five games next weekend at the Winthrop Invitational. EKU takes on East Tennessee State University and North Carolina Central University Friday from Rock Hill, S.C.
Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 7, BUFFALO 6; SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 3, ALCORN STATE 1
HAMMOND, La. - Southeast Missouri (6-2) wrapped up the Lion Classic II with a pair of one-run wins Sunday. The Redhawks edged Buffalo, 7-6, in extra innings and Alcorn State, 3-2.
Freshman Claudia Gallo delivered a two-RBI game-winning single in the bottom of the eighth to send SEMO to its comback win over Buffalo.
Tied, 4-4, after seven innings, Buffalo pushed across two runs in the top of the eighth inning when Alyssa Cuevas was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Essence Savinon hit a RBI-single.
With the international tiebreaker rule in effect, Sarah Messex singled to right to advance Parker Bandy to third. Abby Tillotson followed with a single to center and Bandy scored.
After a balk moved Messex to third and Tillotson to second, Brittany Stevens entered the game as a pinch-runner. Gallo then stepped in and ripped her walk-off hit to center field as Stevens and Messex scored to give SEMO the win.
The Redhawks trailed, 4-2, entering the bottom of the seventh, but plated two runs to send the game to extra innings. Addison Barnouski drew a bases loaded walk which scored Brooke Rheinecker. Mykaela Arellanes touched home when Ashley Ellis grounded out to first, tying the game.
Alexis Estes improved to 2-0, striking out three in six innings out of the bullpen. Estes allowed five hits, three runs and did not give up a walk.
Bobbi Langlois suffered the loss for Buffalo. Langlois went the distance, giving up seven runs, 11 hits and four walks. She struck out three, as well.
Nine different Redhawks had a hit with Tillotson and Ellis paving the way. Tillotson went 2-for-3 with a run scored, two-run homer and three RBIs, while Ellis was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Cuevas, Savinon and Jessica Goldyn had two hits apiece for the Bulls.
SEMO carried a 3-0 lead into the top of the seventh inning against Alcorn State.
The Braves, however, made things interesting when they capitalized on two errors to score a pair of unearned runs. Estes recorded the final out to secure her first career save.
SEMO scored twice in the bottom of the first and once in the third to build its lead.
Arellanes stole home and Ellis knocked in Madison Harris on a double to left field in the first, while Barnouski scored Rachel Anderson on a two-out single in the third.
Madeline Krumrey (3-1) picked up her team-high third win of the season. Krumrey tossed five shutout innings and struck out three.
Maddie Creed took the loss after giving up three runs on nine hits in six innings.
Anderson and Bandy collected two hits each to lead the Redhawk offense.
SEMO finished the Lion Classic II on a three-game winning streak and returns to action when it travels to Alcorn State for a doubleheader on Feb. 25.
EASTERN ILLINOIS 14, NORTH FLORIDA 12
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Eastern Illinois softball closed out the Osprey Invitational holding off host North Florida to win 14-12 in nine innings.
The nine inning victory marks the Panthers first extra inning win since last year's 12-inning 1-0 win over Eastern Kentucky. The win improves EIU to 6-3, while UNF falls to 6-4.
Four Panthers finished the game recording three or more hits with Kayla Bear's 4-for-6 performance marking the second time this season she has recorded four hits in a game.
EIU's last game of the Osprey Invitational began and ended as a hard fought game as both teams got on the scoreboard in the first inning. The Panthers scored first thanks to a two-out triple from Haley Mitchell to score Kayla Bear and give EIU a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
The Ospreys tied it up in the bottom of the first off an RBI single from Macayla Kelley to knot the teams up 1-1.
The Panthers broke the game open in the third inning as Bear reached first on a throwing error to open the inning. With runners on second and third, Mitchell hit an RBI single to right field to give EIU the lead 2-1. EIU added to their lead on the next two at-bats thanks to an RBI double from Maria DeVito followed by a bunt from Amber Toenyes to make it 4-1.
A single from Mady Poulter followed by a fielding error that allowed Ashlynne Paul to reach first gave the Panthers a 6-1 at the end of the third inning as EIU closed the inning with five runs off five hits.
UNF chipped away at EIU's lead adding a run off a sacrifice fly from Jen Valle in the bottom of the sixth inning to score Alex Arciola from third and make it 6-2 heading into the seventh inning.
After reaching first off an Osprey error to open the seventh inning, Poulter eventually made it around to third base only to come around and score off a throwing error from the catcher as Bear stole second. An RBI single from Mia Davis gave the Panthers an 8-2 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.
North Florida refused to go down without a fight loading the bases on the first three batters thanks to two singles and a walk. UNF added a run off the next three batters scoring off a fielding error, a single to right field, and a hit by pitch to cut into EIU's lead which now stood at 8-5.
Following the Ospreys three runs, Michelle Rogers came in for Jessica Wireman in an attempt to close out the game. Wireman finished with six innings on the mound recording five earned runs and throwing eight strikeouts.
After striking out the first batter, the Ospreys were able to get one more run across due to another Panther error. UNF tied the game up on the next at-bat as Casey Estes hit a two RBI single to right center field to bring around two unearned runs and knot the game up 8-8.
Rogers managed to avoid the walk-off loss closing out the inning to send the game into extras. The Panthers opened the eighth inning with Mitchell placed on second base. Kaitlyn Crossen came in to pinch run for Mitchell advancing to third base on a passed ball. Toenyes brought Crossen in to score with an RBI single to give EIU a 9-8 lead.
UNF were able to put runners on the corners with no outs in the bottom of the eighth after Taylor Aguayo started the inning placed on second base. Aguayo tied the game up once again scoring on a sacrifice fly from Mary Rodriguez sending the game into the ninth inning tied 9-9.
The Panthers tacked on five runs in the top of the ninth inning as Paul started the inning on second base advancing to third off a lead-off single from Bear. A single from Davis followed by a bunt from Crossen who reached on the fielder's choice put EIU back in front once again 11-9. Toenyes put the nail in the coffin smashing a three-run home run over the left center field wall to make it 14-9 in favor of the Panthers. Toenyes finished the game with five RBIs going 3-for-6 at the plate.
The Panthers looked to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth as Rogers struck out back-to-back batters after the Ospreys put runners on the corners. UNF rallied to score three runs with two outs off two singles and a Panther error, but EIU escaped with the victory as Dominica Cocuzza flied out to right field with the bases loaded to end the game.
Rogers earned the victory with three innings pitched and throwing three strikeouts while not allowing a single earned run.
Both Davis and Mitchell finished the game 3-for-5 combining for four RBIs.
The Panthers take the field again next weekend opening the Mississippi State Tournament Friday (Feb. 24) against Southern Illinois at 10 a.m.
UT ARLINGTON 3, MOREHEAD STATE 0; SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA 4, MOREHEAD STATE 2
HAMMOND, La. - Following two straight wins, Morehead State softball fell to UT Arlington, 3-0, and Southeastern Louisiana, 4-2, on Sunday afternoon.
With the defeats, the Eagles' record falls to 4-4 on the season.
In the loss to UT Arlington, the Eagles managed four hits. Their lone extra base hit was a double by junior Karly Thompson with one out in the seventh inning, but she was stranded at second.
Senior Megan Tymorek picked up the loss, allowing seven hits, three walks, and three earned runs in six innings of work.
After falling behind 1-0 against Southeastern Louisiana, the Eagles regained the lead with sacrifice flies in the second and third innings. Junior Lindsay Ward's sacrifice fly scored junior Taylor Wheeler in the second and junior Kylie Holton's sacrifice fly scored freshman Cassie Griffin in the third.
A pair of errors cost Morehead State in the bottom of the third as SLU regained the lead with two unearned runs.
The Eagles then managed just one hit the rest of the way as they fell, 4-2.
Junior Chelsea McManaway recorded the loss, allowing five hits, five walks, and four runs, just two of which were earned, in six innings of work. Prior to allowing a run in the first inning, she had gone 19 innings without allowing a run.
Senior Kayla McGuffey recorded two of the Eagles' four hits, going 2-for-3 with two singles and a strikeout.
Next week, Morehead State heads to Conway, S.C. for five games. They will face Campbell and Coastal Carolina on Friday, Cleveland State and Campbell on Saturday, and close out the weekend with Penn State on Sunday.
MURRAY STATE 9, BUTLER 4; MURRAY STATE 13, MCNEESE STATE 5
MOBILE, Ala. - The Murray State softball team used one big inning in each game Sunday to beat both Butler and McNeese in the final day of the 2017 Mardi Gras Invitational at Jaguar Field in Mobile, Alabama. The pair of wins gives Murray State a 4-1 record for the weekend and 8-2 overall record on the year. The 8-2 mark is the best 10-game start in the eight-year history of Murray State softball.
Game 1 – Murray St. 9, Butler 4
After being limited to just one run in its first encounter with Murray State Friday, Butler struck first Sunday with a RBI-single from Sarah Dixon and a sacrifice fly from Brandyce Sallee to take an early 2-0 lead in the first. The Bulldogs then extended their lead to 3-0 in the second with a double from Jen Foreman.
However, in the third, Kaylee Ranburger and Jessica Twaddle helped MSU pull within one with a RBI-ground out and a RBI-single, respectively. Despite the two runs in the top of the frame by the Racers, Butler added another run in the bottom of the third on a one-run single from Alyssa Garcia, pushing the lead to 4-2.
In the fifth, exploded for six runs on a two-run double from Jocelynn Rodgers, a two-RBI single from Madison Culver and a pair of bases loaded walks by Cayla Levins and Leah Kesel to make it 8-4 Racers. Rodgers added another run for MSU in the sixth on a RBI-single to cap the scoring at 9-4 and give the Racers the win.
Rodgers, Ranburger, Twaddle and Brenna Finck each had two hits in the game, accounting for eight of MSU’s 10 hits in the contest. Mason Robinson got the win in relief for Murray State by allowing no runs on just three hits with four strikeouts over the final four innings of the contest. Haven Campbell began the game for Murray State and surrendered four runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts in the first three innings.
Game 2 – Murray St. 13, McNeese 5 (6 Inn.)
In game two, Murray State was first on the board in the bottom of the second thanks to an error by the Cowgirls that allowed Maggie Glass and Rodgers, who reached after being walked and hit, to score. Later in the frame, Erika Downey and a Finck plated one run each on a single and a triple, respectively, to give MSU a 4-0 lead. Twaddle made it 5-0 in the third on another error by McNeese during Glass’ at bat, when she scored from third.
Starting in the fourth inning, the Cowgirls begin to slowly chip away at Murray State’s lead before eventually tying the game at five in the top of the sixth. Four different McNeese players drove in runs during the stretch with no single play scoring more than two runs.
In the bottom of the sixth, Twaddle got it going for the Racers with a RBI-double, which was followed by a three-run home run from Taylor Odom. Later in the inning, with two outs, Downey added another run on a RBI-single to make it 10-5 MSU. In the next at bat, the bases cleared on an error by a McNeese outfielder during Finck’s at bat to make it 13-5, ending the game on the spot via the eight-run rule.
Finck led MSU in the contest by going 3-for-5 with a run and a RBI, while Twaddle was 3-for-3 with a RBI, two doubles and a walk. Robinson moved to 6-1 with the win, allowing five runs, just two of which were earned, on eight hits with four strikeouts and just one walk over six complete
Following the games Sunday, Finck and Twaddle were named to the all-tournament team. Finck was 10-for-19 for a .526 average on the weekend, to go along with a six runs, double, two triples and four RBIs. Meanwhile, Twaddle hit .471 with five runs, three doubles, four RBIs and two walks.
Up next for Murray State is a trip to Birmingham, Alabama for the 2017 Samford/UAB Classic next weekend. While in the Magic City, the Racers will take on both host teams, Iowa State and Indiana.
SIUE 5, MERCER 3
AUBURN, Ala. - SIUE softball closed out the Plainsman Invitational Sunday with a 5-2 triumph over Mercer at Jane B. Moore Field.
Haley Chambers-Book hit a two-run homer and struck out nine as the winning pitcher for the Cougars, which improved to 8-2. Mercer dropped to 4-4.
SIUE finished the weekend 3-2 and next head to Waco, Texas, for the Baylor Tournament Feb. 24-26.
Mercer jumped out to an early lead on an infield ground out in the first inning, but the Cougars peppered Mercer starter Stella Preston.
Kalei Kaneshiro hit her team-leading fifth double of the season in the second inning, driving home Paige Clinton to tie the game 1-1.
Allison Smiley improved her season-leading RBI total to 12 with a two-run double to the gap in left center during the third inning. That drove home Reagan Curtis and Zoe Schafer.
Chambers-Book closed out SIUE's scoring in the fourth with her first home run of the season, blast to right field. It was her 11th career home run.
Chambers-Book also went the distance in the circle and improved to 5-1.
IUPUI 5, TENNESSEE TECH 3
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Tennessee Tech softball team took a tough loss on Sunday to wrap up their play in the Chattanooga Challenge sponsored by Ruby Falls on Sunday.
Facing IUPUI in the single-game finale, the Golden Eagles found themselves tied with the Jaguars at three runs apiece. But in the bottom of the seventh, Maggie Armstrong ended the contest, hitting a two-run walk-off home run to give IUPUI the 5-3 victory.
Kelly Kennedy and Ashley McGowan each led Tech with two hits each, including a home run for the senior Kennedy.
Tech (1-8) outhit the Jaguars 7-6 in the game, but left eight runners on to IUPUI's one.
Taylor Waldrop worked the first 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits as she struck out one. Leigh Ellen Thomas came on in relief, throwing the final three outs as she yielded three runs – two earned – on two hits
Nickole Finch earned the win as she allowed three runs – one earned – on seven hits. She walked three and struck out eight.
Taylor Chitwood and Maggie Armstrong each drove in two runs for the Jaguars.
Tech scored two runs in the top of the first as Jessie Lowery scored on Hallie Davis' bunt single, then Davis went home on a bases-loaded walk to McGowan.
IUPUI tied the game at two in the bottom of the fourth, then Tech retook a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth with Kennedy's homer.
The Jaguars retied the game in the sixth, then ended it with the walk-off homer in the seventh.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Friday as they travel to the South Alabama Invitational. Tech will take on Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and South Alabama on Friday.
BELMONT 4, MIAMI (OHIO) 2; BELMONT 9, WESTERN ILLINOIS 8
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - With a resounding home run in the bottom of the sixth inning by senior Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.), Belmont Softball battled back to take its seventh consecutive win. The Bruins (7-0) defeated Miami (OH), 4-2, clenching the No. 1 seed going into the championship game of the WKU Hilltopper Classic.
After a scoreless first inning, Belmont was the first to put a run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second. Junior Jess Andree (Darien, Ill.) knocked a double to left center and was moved to third on a sacrifice hit by sophomore Sami Long (Springfield, Ill.) before a single by senior Amy Zeronian (Pasadena, Calif.) pushed a run over the plate.
The Bruins had a huge scoring opportunity in the bottom of the third after loading the bases. Unfortunately, a late Redhawk pitching change saved the inning from being broken open. Belmont did not waste the chance in the following inning, putting one over the plate to go up, 2-0.
Miami finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth, using a two-run homerun to knot the score. In the bottom of the same inning, BU once again had a bases loaded situation but was unable to put a runner across, stranding three. The contest remained locked at 2-2 through the next pair of half innings.
With history in the balance, Belmont made the move to clench the win without forcing extra innings. Senior Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.) smashed a two-run homerun over the centerfield fence to put the Bruins ahead, 4-2. BU's defense ended the top of the seventh 1-2-3 to secure the win.
Andree and Zeronian led the Bruins at the plate, both going 2-for-3.
Inside the circle, sophomore Ashley Johnson (Kingwood, Texas) tossed five innings and Rouse came in for her first win of the season with two innings of work.
The win gives Belmont its best start in program history, now at 7-0.
Belmont Softball dug in its heels and pulled out a win in the bottom of the seventh to win the WKU Hilltopper Classic. The Bruins (8-0) knocked off Western Illinois (2-7), 9-8, to extend their winning streak to a record eight games.
As has been the case in every game this season, the Bruins were first to make a mark on the scoreboard. After sophomore Baylee Cook (Lewisburg, Tenn.) walked, freshman Bailey Sims (Flowery Branch, Ga.) smashed the first home run of her career to put Belmont ahead, 2-0 in the bottom of the first. The Leathernecks were able to answer and put across two runs of their own on the board in the top of the second inning. However, BU was not to be outdone in their half of the same inning. Junior Jess Andree (Darien, Ill.) drilled a solo shot over the centerfield fence to get the ball rolling. Sophomore Sami Long (Springfield, Ill.) and senior Kayla Wells (Bonney Lake, Wash.) knocked back-to-back singles before the Bruins were able to capitalize on a WIU error, a base on balls opportunity for Cook and a fielder's choice that added two more runs. Following the flurry, Belmont was leading, 5-2.
The Bruins kept WIU silent in their half of the third before back-to-back solo home runs by junior Lexi Rouse (Macon, Ga.) and senior Chelsey Deloney (Gardendale, Ala.) expanded the Bruin lead to 7-2. Both teams were quiet in the fourth inning but Western Illinois tied the game up, 7-7, with a three-run blast over the centerfield fence after taking advantage of a pair of BU errors.
The teams remained stalemated into the bottom of the sixth before Cook drilled a solo home run over the centerfield fence to put Belmont on top, 8-7. BU looked to have the game in hand until WIU fired back with a solo home run of its own in the top of the seventh to knot the score once again, this time, 8-8. With extra innings looming, the Bruins used the combination of a single by sophomore Hayley Baker (Rockwall, Texas), a walk for Rouse and a hit by pitch opportunity for Deloney to load the bases with no outs on the board. Andree used a sacrifice fly to left open the door for Baker to tag up and cross the plate to give Belmont the 9-8 victory.
At the plate, Rouse went 2-for-3 in the game and Cook collected a pair of runs. Five Bruins notched home runs – Cook, Sims, Rouse, Deloney and Andree.
Inside the circle, freshman Morgan Marshall (Church Hill, Tenn.), sophomore Ashley Johnson (Kingwood, Texas) and Rouse all saw time. Rouse finished with a pair of strikeouts and the win after Belmont pulled ahead in the seventh.
Belmont returns to action on Friday, February 24 at E.S. Rose Park. The Bruins host Evansville for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.