BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – No. 15 Missouri Baptist University softball opened conference play with a pair of wins at Baker University (Kan.) on Saturday.
Brooklynn Fischer led the team to a 2-1 pitcher's duel victory in the first game. Four different hitters for MBU hit home runs in the second game to aid an 11-1 run-rule victory to earn the sweep.
Game One Recap
Baker struck first in the opening inning when Sydney Kill doubled and later scored on an RBI single by Ashlee Jackman to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
The game turned into a pitching duel between MBU
Brooklynn Fischer and Baker's Kira Baker. Fischer scattered four hits while striking out seven over seven innings, keeping the Spartans within striking distance.
The Spartans finally broke through in the sixth inning.
Grace McGinnis reached with a bunt single, and
Makayla Johnson followed with another bunt hit. The pair then executed a double steal to move into scoring position with two outs.
Fischer delivered the decisive blow, ripping a double to center field that scored both Johnson and McGinnis to give Missouri Baptist a 2-1 lead.
Fischer then finished the complete-game effort in the seventh, retiring the side to secure the win.
Winning Pitcher: Brooklynn Fischer (5-2)
Losing Pitcher: Kira Baker (3-4)
Batting Leaders
Brooklynn Fischer: 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Makayla Johnson: 1-for-3, R, SB
Grace McGinnis: 1-for-2, R, SB
Game Two Recap
Baker struck first in the bottom of the opening inning when Gracie Gallagher scored during a caught stealing play to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
Missouri Baptist responded with a massive second inning.
Alexi Sanchez tied the game with a solo home run before
Allison Leigraf launched a two-run homer to put the Spartans ahead 3-1. Later in the inning, Johnson added a two-run blast to extend the lead to 5-1.
The Spartans continued the offensive surge in the third inning. Fischer doubled to start the frame, and Sanchez worked a walk before
Miranda Ladson delivered a three-run home run to center field, pushing the advantage to 8-1.
MBU added another run in the fourth when
Alohilani Bursey doubled down the left-field line to score
Kaylie Brake.
The Spartans capped the scoring in the fifth inning.
Allison Leigraf opened the frame with a ground-rule double, and Brake followed with a two-run single to right-center to make it 11-1.
Brake closed the game in the circle, tossing five innings and allowing one run on six hits while striking out two to earn the win.
Winning Pitcher: Kaylie Brake (10-2)
Losing Pitcher: Jordyn Beck (6-2)
Batting Leaders
Miranda Ladson: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
Makayla Johnson: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Allison Leigraf: 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R
Alexi Sanchez: 2-for-2, HR, RBI, 2 R
Kaylie Brake: 1-for-1, 2 RBI, 2 R
Records:
No. 15 Missouri Baptist: 16-5
Baker: 12-9
What's Next?
The Spartans welcome William Penn University for the home opener on Friday, March 20. The first pitch at Spartan Softball Field is set for 2 p.m.
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