WEDNESDAY'S SCORES
Kansas City 13,
@Western Illinois 9
@Chattanooga 4,
Tennessee State 0
KANSAS CITY 13, WESTERN ILLINOIS 9
MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois showed fight until the final out but couldn't overcome an early deficit, falling 13-9 to Kansas City on Tuesday, April 16th, at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium.
Despite a 15-hit outing and a strong offensive push late in the game, the Leathernecks (10-29) couldn't erase a deficit built by the Roos' consistent scoring across all but one inning. Kansas City jumped ahead with a four-run second and padded its lead with key extra-base hits, including a three-run triple by Leilani Bustamante and a two-run homer from Grace Batdorf.
Lillie Wools took the loss in the circle, allowing four runs in the first inning before being relieved. Western Illinois used four pitchers in total, with Libby Spaulding finishing the final three frames.
Offensively, WIU spread production throughout the lineup. Kaylee Ketcherside went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, while Megan Leonard added two hits and an RBI. Maria Luna delivered the biggest swing of the day, crushing a three-run home run in the seventh inning to spark a rally. Lillie Wools also helped her own cause, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Ruby Tarr doubled and scored twice, and RyLee German added a 2-for-4 performance with a double and an RBI.
The Leathernecks' offense surged in the final two frames, scoring three in the sixth and four more in the seventh, capped by Luna's blast and Ketcherside's RBI double. However, the gap proved too wide after Kansas City added four insurance runs in the top of the seventh, two of which were unearned.
With 15 hits, nine RBIs, and a never-quit mentality, Western Illinois put together one of its more productive offensive performances of the season but ultimately couldn't keep pace defensively.
CHATTANOOGA 4, TENNESSEE STATE 0
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Tennessee State softball team was stymied against Chattanooga pitcher junior Peja Goold on Wednesday and lost 4-0 by the Mocs.
Tianna Salcido (4-6) started and took the loss in the circle for Tennessee State (20-14). Reina Castillo came out of the bullpen, going six innings, surrendering two runs, both earned, on five hits, walking one and striking out two.
In the batter's box, the Tigers were led by Hailey Hunt, who went 1-for-2 on the day with a walk.
Tennessee State managed zero chances with runners on third in the shutout, going a total of 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. The Tigers last got a runner on third in the third, when Kailyn Jean-Baptiste made it 60 feet away from scoring with one out.