EDMOND, Okla. - The No. 18-ranked University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos notched a doubleheader sweep of the Northwest Missouri State University softball team Friday.
The Bronchos won game one, 5-2, and took the second, 8-3.
UCO improved to 29-8 overall and 7-3 in MIAA play. Northwest is 25-10 overall and 5-5 in league action.
GAME ONE
The Bearcats fell short despite a competitive effort. Central Oklahoma took an early lead in the first inning thanks to a two-RBI single by Kennedy Clark, making it 2-0. They extended their advantage in the second inning with an RBI double from Haley Gallo, pushing the score to 3-0. Northwest responded in the third inning with a rally, as
Mackenzie Mlnarik and
Omara Love both singled, and
Timber Wilson drove in Mlnarik, with Love scoring on a throwing error, closing the gap to 3-2. However, Central Oklahoma quickly countered with a solo home run from Jenna Jobe, ending the inning with a 4-2 lead. Jobe added another home run in the fifth, solidifying the final score at 5-2.
Pitching for Northwest,
Rien Moore lasted 5.0 innings, allowing six hits and five earned runs, while striking out 3.
Erika Gore relieved Moore for an inning, permitting one hit and striking out 1one. Mlnarik and Love each scored a run with one hit, while Wilson contributed an important RBI.
Kaylee Cords also showcased her patience with a hit and a walk.
GAME TWO
Northwest Missouri State outhit Central Oklahoma 9-8 but couldn't overcome a five-run deficit after the fourth inning. The Bearcats started strong in the third, with
Emma Hague singling and Mlnarik reaching on a fielder's choice.
Kaylee Cords then delivered a two-RBI double, bringing Hague and Mlnarik home, giving Northwest a brief 2-0 lead. However, Central Oklahoma responded in the fourth with three runs, including an error that allowed multiple runs to score, flipping the score to 3-2 in favor of the hosts. The fifth inning proved pivotal as Central Oklahoma scored four more runs, including key hits from Clark, Jobe, and Demoff, increasing the lead to 7-2. Northwest managed to add a run in the sixth but could not close the gap, with the game ending at 8-3.
Jadyn Streigle pitched 5.0 innings for the Bearcats, allowing eight hits and five earned runs, striking out three.
Erika Gore entered in relief for an inning, giving up one run. Cords shone with a two-RBI performance on a double, while
Curstin Todd and Mlnarik each contributed with hits and runs scored. Hague added a hit and executed a sacrifice hit during the game.
Looking ahead, Northwest Missouri State will face Newman in an MIAA doubleheader Saturday, April 4, beginning at noon in Wichita, Kan.
