Softball Wins Game 2; Secure Series Split with Morningside
(Hastings, NE) – Taking on the Morningside Mustangs on Sunday afternoon, Hastings lost 13-3 in game one, but put up eight runs in their 8-2 game two victory.
(Hastings, NE) – Taking on the Morningside Mustangs on Sunday afternoon, Hastings lost 13-3 in game one, but put up eight runs in their 8-2 game two victory.
Morningside had two runners walk with one out in the first and scored one of them to take a 1-0 lead. Senior Lauren Lee tied the game with a solo blast to deep left in the second, but the Mustangs retook the lead at 2-1 with an RBI-double in the third.
With runners on first and second and two out for the Broncos in the bottom of the third, a base hit by senior Lexie Mudloff scored sophomore Graecy Graf from third. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, junior Kaylee Pinneo was hit by a pitch to put Hastings in front, 3-2. Morningside tied the game at three in the fourth on a throwing error on the Broncos on a stolen base attempt.
The Mustangs broke the game open in the sixth, scoring 10 runs on four hits and two errors. The first four runs scored on two hit-batters and two walks, then scored the last six runs on singles to take a 13-3 lead.
In game two, Morningside led off with a single to left and with one out, they drilled a two-run home run. The Mustangs had a chance to add to their lead in the second, getting the bases loaded with one out, but senior Kiera Brack got two flyouts to end the inning.
Hastings used that momentum to score two runs and tie the game. Lee walked and went to second on a Pinneo single. Skinner loaded the bases on a hit to center and Graf knocked in Lee and Pinneo on a two-run RBI-single.
With two outs in the third, Pinneo laced a single to left, then senior Ana Medeiros hit a towering home run to deep center, putting Hastings up 4-2.
In the fifth, the Broncos scored four runs on five hits. Lee led off with a single and after a walk to Medeiros, Hastings moved the runners to second and third with one out. Senior Sam Skinner and freshman Jenna McClain each scored a run on base hits. Graf loaded the bases on a bunt and Kapple drove in two runs on a hit to left, as Hastings extended the lead to six at 8-2.
Brack pitched the final two innings without giving up a run, as the Broncos took it 8-2. For the game, Brack pitched seven innings, allowing just the two runs on seven hits and striking out three to earn the win. Pinneo went 3-3 in game two with a walk and three runs scored. Skinner was 2-3 with a run and an RBI, while Graf was 2-3 with two RBIs.
Up next, Hastings will play a doubleheader at Northwestern on Friday, Apr. 17 at 4 and 6pm.
