WICHITA, Kan. — A big inning led to an 8-5 win in the opener for the Newman softball team, which fell 2-1 in the nightcap to settle for a split in its home-opening doubleheader against Northwestern Oklahoma State Wednesday at Newman Softball Field.
GAME 1
Key Sequence
The Jets (2-8) took a little bit to get the bats going in their home opener, but once they did, the runs poured in against the Rangers (1-5). Newman led off the bottom of the fifth with a single by Paige Wallace, the first of four hits that plated seven runs. The biggest was a blast over the fence in left center by Taylor Mannis, giving the Jets a commanding lead.
How It Happened
-NWOSU was able to collect hits and runs through the middle innings, but could never open up for a big inning against Newman starter Bailey Bugner. The Rangers scored once in each of the second through fifth innings, but couldn't build a substantial lead.
-Three singles for the Jets — from Hayden Francis, Adrienne Esposito and Delaney Hiegert — loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the third, and Bugner's sacrifice fly to deep right got Newman on the board.
-The wild fifth inning for the home team got going after Wallace's single, as Francis walked and Hiegert reached on an error to load the bags. The first run of the inning crossed on a groudout by Bugner, with two more scoring when Erin Jankiewicz smoked a single up the middle. Abby Davis dropped a single into left to plate another before the big fly from Mannis.
-The Rangers made it five straight innings of scoring a run in the top of the sixth, but Nique Payne shut down the threat, striking out two of the final three hitters of the frame. She set the visitors down in order in the seventh to seal the win.
GAME 2
Key Sequence
Nursing a tight one-run lead late, the Rangers saw Davis lead off the bottom of the seventh with a single. Mannis reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, and put the tying run on third on a groundout, but a strikeout ended the game and forced the Jets to settle for a split.
How It Happened
-Despite two singles and a hit-by-pitch in the top of the second, it looked like the Jets would keep a zero on the scoreboard, but a two-out walk got the Rangers on the board first. From there, the two pitchers — Payne for Newman and Karly Murray for NWOSU — found a groove, retiring six of the next seven they each faced.
-The Jets broke the stalemate first, as Jankiewicz scored to tie things up on a single from Davis. The Rangers didn't take long to answer though, starting the top of the fifth with a double and two singles, the latter breaking the tie.
-Newman had chances late, as Jankiewicz singled with out in the sixth, but a line-out double play ended that threat, and the tying run was stranded at third in the seventh.
NOTES
-Seven different Jets picked up hits in the opener, with Mannis knocking in three runs with her homer and Jankiewicz added two RBIs.
-Davis continued the blazing start to her season, going 3-for-3 in the finale to finish 4-for-6 with two RBIs, a run and a stolen base on the day. The junior is batting .500 on the season and is on a five-game hitting streak.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Jets get to stay at home to continue nonconference play, hosting Southeastern Oklahoma State Saturday afternoon.
