WICHITA, Kan. — A day after a thrilling walk-off victory, the Newman softball team was once again locked up in a tight one against Rogers State, but fell 1-0 in a pitcher's duel in the finale of a Heartland Conference series Saturday at Newman Softball Field.
KEY SEQUENCE
The Jets (7-29, 3-16 Heartland) got an excellent effort from starter Nique Payne, but the Hillcats (26-8, 11-4 Heartland) were able to manufacture the game's lone run in the top of the sixth. A leadoff walk got a runner on, and Merissa Smith moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a groundout. A single from Taylor Santisteven with two outs plated the run and gave the guests the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
-Neither offense was able to get much going against the opposing pitchers. Payne got a fly ball to left to strand two runners in the top of the second, and a lineout double play in the bottom of the third erased Erin Jankiewicz's single to start the frame.
-The Jets got the bases loaded in the fourth, as Abby Davis walked and Emma Eck singled before Hayden Francis was hit by a pitch with two outs, but a flyout ended the threat. A leadoff triple by the Hillcats in the next inning looked to be dangerous, but after a walk, Payne picked up a strikeout and two ground balls to keep things scoreless.
-After RSU took the lead, the guests put the Jets down in order in the bottom of the sixth, and with the same four batters coming up in the bottom of the seventh who recorded four straight two-out hits to win it Friday, the Hillcats again got a 1-2-3 inning to end it.
NOTES
-Payne went the games first six innings, allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out four. Over the final 14 innings of the series, the Newman pitching staff allowed just nine hits and three runs.
-RSU starter Alex Brake, who the Jets got to a bit in Game 1 on Friday, was stellar, allowing just two hits and two walks in the shutout win.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Jets take a short break from Heartland play over the next two weeks, hitting the road to face Southern Nazarene in a doubleheader Tuesday.
