CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Brooklynn Fischer and
Kaylie Brake led No. 8 Missouri Baptist University softball to a pair of run-rule victories over Clarke University on the campus of Mount Mercy University on Thursday, April 16.
The starting pitcher duo combined for just one run allowed on five total hits across 10 innings of work. Fischer tossed a one-hitter with 11 strikeouts in an 8-0 game-one trouncing and Brake followed with one earned and three strikeouts in a 10-1 game two win.
Game One Recap
Makayla Johnson and
Brooklynn Fischer started Thursday with back-to-back walks in the first inning, followed by a three-run home run from
Miranda Ladson to give the Spartans a 3-0 lead in three batters.
Allison Leigraf then doubled with one out and scored on
Jacie Dees' RBI double to make it 4-0.
Leigraf clubbed her team-leading 10
th home run of the season in the third and started the fifth off with an RBI single to centerfield to score
Alexi Sanchez. She then scored on Dees' second double of the game to make it 7-0.
Camryn Kessler capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to center.
Fischer finished the run-rule win by striking out the side in the bottom half of the fifth to give her 11 strikeouts on the day. She needed just 80 pitches to take down the Pride, allowing one hit and three walks with no runs.
Winning Pitcher: Brooklynn Fischer (12-3)
Losing Pitcher: Meredith Gatto (5-5)
Batting Leaders
Allison Leigraf: 3-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R
Miranda Ladson: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI
Jacie Dees: 2-for-2, 2 2B, 2 RBI, R
Game Two Recap
Ladson got the game going again in game two with a two-out single and scored on Leigraf's RBI single two batters later. Johnson tacked on another run in the second on a two-RBI double to center field to score Kessler and Dees.
In the third,
Alohilani Bursey doubled in two more with a shot to right-center. Peru State answered with a run in the bottom of the third before a three-RBI triple from Leigraf in the fourth extended the lead out to 7-1.
In the fifth, Johnson plated Bursey with a sacrifice fly before Fischer drove in a 10
th run with an RBI double down the right field line.
Brake surrendered a pair of one-out walks in the bottom of the fifth but stranded the runners with a pop out and a looking strikeout to complete the 10-1 final. She ended the outing with four hits, one earned run, five walks, and three strikeouts over 94 pitches and five innings.
Winning Pitcher: Kaylie Brake (19-3)
Losing Pitcher: Emma Slayback (8-8)
Batting Leaders
Allison Leigraf: 2-for-2, 3B, 4 RBI, R
Makayla Johnson: 1-for-2: 2B, 3 RBI
Records:
No. 8 Missouri Baptist: 32-7, 18-2 Heart
Clarke: 21-21, 10-10 Heart
What's Next?
The Spartans remain at Busse Field to play Mount Mercy University on Friday, April 17. The first pitch is set for 2 p.m.
Follow Us:
X/Twitter: @MBU_softball
Instagram: @mbu_sb
