MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State University softball team (13-20, 3-9 MIAA) knocked off the No. 6-ranked University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos (27-6, 8-2 MIAA) in the second game of a doubleheader to gain a split.
The Bronchos secured game one, 12-0, in a six-inning contest, before the Bearcats gained a doubleheader split with a 4-2 win in game two.
Northwest's win in game two ended a streak of 13 consecutive losses to Central Oklahoma. Prior to today's victory, Northwest's last win against UCO came March 22, 2018.
Game One – #6 Central Oklahoma 12, Northwest 0 (6 inn.)
The Bearcats held the nationally ranked Bronchos in check through four innings before Central Oklahoma erupted for 11 runs over the final two frames to take a 12-0 win in six innings.
Northwest managed three hits in the contest, courtesy of
Grace Lubben,
Omara Love, and
Lillie Filger, while playing error-free defense.
Central Oklahoma struck first with an RBI single in the opening frame, but Northwest starter
Rien Moore (5-3) kept the Bronchos' bats quiet through four innings, allowing just three hits. Love provided the Bearcats' first hit of the day with a single in the second, while Filger added another in the sixth.
The momentum shifted in the fifth as Central Oklahoma plated five runs, followed by a six-run sixth to break the game open. Moore exited after 4 2/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on four hits while striking out two.
Olivia Moyer finished the game in relief, but the Bronchos held Northwest scoreless to secure the shutout.
Game Two – Northwest 4, #6 Central Oklahoma 2
The Bearcats responded in game two, using a four-run first inning and a strong outing from pitcher
Jadyn Streigle to knock off the sixth-ranked Bronchos, 4-2.
Streigle set the tone early, retiring the side in order in the top of the first. Northwest's offense capitalized immediately, as Skyler Pieper laced an RBI single to left to put the Bearcats on the board. A bases-loaded walk to Lubben set up
Omara Love, who followed with a run-scoring single to make it 2-0.
Malia Cuevas then delivered another clutch hit, driving in two more to give Northwest a 4-0 lead after the first inning. Northwest made Central Oklahoma starter Shelby Beard (11-3) exit in the opening inning with just one out, who came into today's contest with a season-ERA of 1.53.
Central Oklahoma cut the deficit in half with a two-run homer in the third, but Streigle and the Bearcat defense held firm the rest of the way. The Bronchos threatened in the seventh, putting two runners aboard, but
Curstin Todd fielded a ground ball cleanly to seal the upset victory.
Streigle (4-6) picked up her fourth win of the season, tossing all seven innings, allowing just two runs on eight hits and a trio of punchouts in the outing.
Cuevas provided a spark offensively, going 3-for-3 from the plate with two RBI, as
Alexis Brown,
Gaige Pinkerton, Love, and Pieper had two hits apiece. The Bearcats stranded 10 baserunners in a 14-hit effort – Central Oklahoma's second-most of the season.
UP NEXT
Northwest will return to the field tomorrow, March 29, for a doubleheader against Newman. First pitch is set for Noon, as game two will begin shortly after at approximately 2 p.m., at Bearcat Softball Field.
