ADA, Okla. — The Newman University softball team opened the 2019 season on a mild Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 13). The Jets dropped the first game in an 18-17 extra inning slugfest before coming back to split the doubleheader with a 10-7 game two victory. The Jets move to 1-1 on the year.
Game 1
Bailey Bugner sparked the Newman offense from the get go with a two-run homerun during a four run first inning as the Jets started the game up 4-0. The Tigers would storm back with a seven spot in the fourth inning gaining their first lead of the game 11-6.
In the sixth inning the Jets put on a homerun derby as Paige Wallace, Emma Eck and Lacey Colvin went back-to-back-to-back before Dominique "Nique" Payne capped off the seven spot inning with a grand slam putting the Jets back in front 14-12 after 6.5 innings.
After a Tigers three run bottom of the sixth the Jets down to their final three outs rallied back sending the game into extras after Bugner smashed her second long fly of the game knotting the game up at 17-17.
The Jets' offense went quite in the extra frame going down in order as the Tigers took advantage in the bottom of the eighth scoring the game winning run on a field choice taking the slugfest 18-17.
Chantel Purcella got the start for the Jets as she lasted 5.2 innings before being relieved by Lauryn Ogden.
Bailey Bugner went 2 for 4 with two homeruns, while driving in six runs and crossing the plate three times.
The Jets collected a total of 15 hits and drew five walks in the game one 18-17 loss.
Game 2
The Jets responded from the game one loss with a strong second game start jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the third inning after Lacey Colvin sent her second homerun of the day over the fences with a three-run shot.
The offensive fireworks continued in the fourth inning as Colvin laced a single to left driving in two of her games five runs batted in. Freshman Shanda Cox added more injury to insult ripping a double to left center that plated home two runs extending the 9-1 Newman lead.
Cox continued her strong day at the plate sending her first colligate homerun over the left field fence giving Newman a 10-3 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth.
A late Tigers rally would make things interesting scoring four straight runs cutting the Newman lead to 10-7 before Dominique "Nique" Payne pitched out of a bases loaded jam ending the Tigers late rally as the Jets took the second game 10-7.
Lacey Colvin finished game two with a 3 for 4 performance knocking in five runs, while crossing the plate twice. Shanda Cox finished her first colligate start with a 2 for 3 performance along with driving in three runs.
The Jets will head back down to Oklahoma for the UCO-OC Festival that begins on Friday (Feb. 15) as they will play Southern Nazarene and Colorado Christian in the first day.
