MARYVILLE, Mo. — The Northwest Missouri State University softball team was able to gain a doubleheader split with the University of Central Missouri Jennies Saturday in MIAA action.
The Bearcats used a strong pitching performance from
Jadyn Streigle in game two to earn the split. UCM's onslaught in game one produced a 10-1 victory in five innings. Streigle retired the last 12 batters she faced to stymie the Jennies' offense and give the Bearcats a 6-2 victory in game two.
Northwest is 25-8 overall and 5-3 in MIAA play. UCM is 21-11 overall and 5-5 in league action.
In the first game, Central Missouri capitalized on a seven-run second inning, highlighted by four home runs, starting with a two-run homer by Taylor Thompson in the first inning. The Bearcats struggled to respond, finishing the first inning down 2–0.
Central Missouri extended its lead significantly in the second with a bases-clearing double from Bailey Brumley and a subsequent three-run homer by Aly Hageman, alongside a solo shot from Marisa Johnson, bringing the score to 9–0. Northwest managed two hits but failed to score in that inning.
In the third, Central Missouri added another run with a solo home run by Brumley. Northwest finally got on the board when
Alexis Brown scored on a fielder's choice by
Omara Love, making the score 10–1. No additional runs were scored in the remaining innings, and the game concluded with Central Missouri taking the win in five innings.
On the mound for Northwest,
Olivia Moyer pitched 2.0 innings, allowing nine earned runs on four hits, including three home runs, while facing 17 batters.
Rien Moore relieved her, giving up an earned run on one hit, while
Erika Gore had a strong outing, pitching two scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts.
Mackenzie Mlnarik reached base three times with three walks, while Love contributed an RBI. Brown scored a run and collected a hit, showcasing her ability to get on base.
In the second game, Northwest bounced back with a 6-2 victory, highlighted by a five-run third inning. Central Missouri initially took the lead in the first inning with Thompson driving in Brumley with a double, and Jenna Little extending the lead with a solo home run in the second, making it 2-0.
However, Northwest responded decisively in the third.
Jaeleigh Darnell homered to kick off the scoring, followed by
Curstin Todd scoring on a wild pitch and
Alexis Brown on a throwing error.
Omara Love and
Mackenzie Mlnarik also crossed the plate, bringing the score to 5-2 in favor of Northwest.
Kaylee Cords added a solo home run in the fifth inning, solidifying Northwest's lead at 6-2, which they maintained through the remaining innings as Central Missouri was unable to score again.
Jadyn Streigle pitched a complete game for Northwest, allowing 5 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 1 and walking 2. She faced 26 batters, throwing a total of 100 pitches. After allowing a leadoff single in the fourth, Streigle retired the final 12 batters of the game on seven flyouts, four groundouts and a strikeout.
Cords led the offense with two RBI and a home run, while Darnell contributed two hits and an RBI. Todd showcased her defensive skills with four assists at shortstop.
In their next game, Northwest Missouri State will face Central Oklahoma on Friday, April 3, at 2 p.m. CT in Edmond, Okla.
