St. Louis- Softball opened up conference play today against Cottey College, with whom they share last years regular season championship title. The Spartans were coming off of a sweep over MidAmerica Nazarene and were looking to do the same against their conference foe. A big 2 out rally would propel MBU to their first win against the comets while they would steadily rack up the points in the second game to earn the sweep.
 
GAME ONE
The Spartans quick work of the Comets in the top of the first inning with the Brooklynn Fischer in the circle and the defense there to back her up. While MBU was able to knock down a couple of hits during their at bat, they would end the inning scoreless. It wouldn't be till the bottom of the second that MBU would score the first run of the game.

With two out and Jenna Achs the lone runner on base, Amber Cage stepped up to bat for the Spartans. The senior was soon behind on the count, going 0-2 and the next strike would determine her fate. With the next pitch in on target, Cage made her attempt and hit a little blooper to the edge of the grass right behind second base. This would allow Achs to move around to third as the defense scrambled for the ball. Meghan Hager then stepped up to bat with runners at first and third. After watching the first ball go by, the sophomore hit a soft ground ball down the first base line and while powering down to the bag, Hager was able to avoid the tag and make it safely to first. Achs, who took off on contact, was able to score the first run of the game. Cage, seeing no one covering third during the play, made it safely to the base and there was once against runners at first and third. Miranda Ladson was up next and on a 2-2 count, the sophomore hit a three-run bomb over the left field fence. The Spartans were now up 4-0 with Fischer up to bat. The New Florence, Mo. native hit a line drive right over the first baseman's head and really put on the speed to make it to third for a triple. A wild throw by the second baseman would send the ball out of play and Fischer home for the fifth run of the inning.

Cottey did manage to put up two runs in the top of the third after some well placed hits but MBU would soon get out of the inning and put a stop to the Comets for the rest of the game. The Spartans went on to add another two runs in the fifth to bring the score 7-2. The first three batters made it on to load the bases including Ashleigh Davis with her first collegiate hit. Cage would then step up and hit a sacrifice fly out to left field to bring in Allison Leigraf. Hager then would beat out the throw coming from the short stop to load the bases once again. The Spartans next would score on another sacrifice fly from Ladson when she would hit a fly ball out to center field. With that, the Spartans would win their first game against Cottey 7-2.
With the conclusion of the game, Fischer would earn her ninth win of the season, throwing seven strikeouts and logging an ERA of 2.0.
 
GAME TWO
The Spartans got things started a little earlier this time, taking the lead 2-0 in the first. Hager would hit a lead off single to the third baseman, making it safely on with no one covering first. Ladson then followed up by winning the count and making it on with a walk. Both runners would then make it into scoring position with Hager and Ladson both stealing second and third. Natalie Archer was next up and after bringing it to a 3-1 count, the junior launched one out to the right field fence for a triple, bringing in the first two runs of the game two.

MBU would carry that momentum over into the second inning. The Comets were able to put a couple runners in scoring position in the top of the second but Alexandria Cafolla was able to leave those runners stranded, striking out two while the last was a ground out to Leigraf at third. Achs was able to lead off for the Spartans with a base hit just outside of the pitching circle and moved around to second, stealing the base on the very next pitch. Brake, who was up, sent the next pitch over the second baseman for a line drive out to right field. With runners at first and third, Hager was soon up to bat. The first two pitches went by as strikes but Brake was able steal second, moving into scoring position. On the next pitch Hager hit a ground ball back to the pitcher and with her speed the sophomore was able to beat the throw to first while bringing in Achs for the third run of the game. The bases were soon loaded with Ladson following up with a walk. Fischer was up next and while the sophomore made it to first, the defense threw out the lead runner. Bases were loaded once again with Archer up to bat. The senior took the pitcher to a full count and made it on base with a pitch to low in the box. Archer's walk would move the runners around, bringing in Hager.

Cottey did make it on board in the third inning when Al. Cafolla had a slow start to the inning but the graduate student was able to get out of it, striking out the last batter. MBU would fail to put up a run in the third but would widen the gap in the fourth but putting up three more runs. Ladson would start off the inning with a ground ball to the third baseman. With the ball failing to hop like the fielder expected, Ladson made it safely to first. Fischer followed up with a double out to center and past the diving center fielder. Abagail Cafolla would be the next batter to move them around, hitting a base hit to short, bringing in Ladson. With two outs, Achs stepped into the batter's box and hit a fly ball out into the left center gap to score both Ab. Cafolla and Fischer. The last run of the game would come when Kolby Brake would send it into the left center gap for a second double in a row for the Spartans. Achs making it home would bring the score 8-1.

Cottey put up one more run in the top of the fifth, but Al. Cafolla would get them out of it once again by striking out the last batter. That same inning, MBU would put up the final run of the game. After getting up in the count, Fischer took her time waiting for her pitch and proceeded to send one to the fence for her second double of the game. A single coming from Archer would move Fischer around to third and waiting to be brought home. Ab. Cafolla would be up to bat next and hit a ground ball to the shortstop, allowing Fischer to take off for home on the throw. Fischer was able to beat the throw home from the first baseman, scoring the Spartans ninth run of the game.

The rest of the game flew by and the Spartans would earn the sweep, winning their second game 9-2. Al. Cafolla would earn the win this time, throwing six strikeouts and putting up a 1.0 ERA on the game.

Next, the Spartans will be right back at it as they take on William Woods today (March 23) for some back to back conference action starting at 1PM.