WICHITA, Kan. — The Jets (10-30) dropped a pair of non-conference games on Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 10) at the NU Softball Field, against Rockhurst with a 5-4 loss in the opener and a heartbreaking 6-4 loss in the nightcap.
GAME 1
Newman broke open the scoring in the home half of the second on a Bayley Horsch RBI single up the middle scoring Lauren Ogden giving the Jets a 1-0 lead. Junior Lacey Colvin extended the Newman lead an inning later with a 2-out RBI single up the middle bringing home Lauren Kuhrt from second base.
Rockhurst broke through in the fourth striking for three runs coming off a three run home run. The Hawks extended the lead 5-2, an inning later scoring two runs coming off one of Newman's two errors in the contest.
In the home half of the fifth, Bailey Bugner reached base on one of the Hawks two fielding errors, allowing Paige Wallace to score from second base trimming the deficit to 5-3.
After a scoreless sixth, Wallace put the tying run at second base with a 2-out RBI double scoring Kuhrt trimming the deficit to 5-4. The 2-out rally fell just short as Bugner flew out to center field ending the comeback attempt.
GAME 2
Just like the first game, the Jets drew first blood in the nightcap as freshman Paige Wallace produced an RBI sac-fly to left field bringing home freshman Lauren Kuhrt who singled to lead off the inning.
After two solid shutout innings pitched by Jets starter Bailey Bugner, the Hawks broke through in the top of the third with a 2-run home run gaining a 2-1 advantage. The Hawks tacked on an insurance run in the top of the fourth with a lead-off home run to left field.
In the home half of the fourth, senior Bayley Horsch connected for her first round tripper of the season sending a three run shot over the left center field fences putting the Jets back in front 4-3.
Solid Jets defense, including solid pitching from sophomore Bailey Bugner, maintained Newman's 4-3 advantage through the next two innings.
Unfortunately the Hawks gained new life in the top of the seventh putting the tying run on third base with a leadoff triple. Rockhurst would even the score up 4-4, on a fielder's choice. Three batters later the Hawks would take back the lead, 6-4 completing the comeback collecting their third home run of the game.
Newman would threaten in the home half of the seventh as senior Adrienne Esposito and Kuhrt would reach base to open the inning, but the rally attempt fell short as the Jets were unable to get the big clutch hit stranded both runners.
The Jets will get back into conference play Friday afternoon (Apr. 12) against St. Edward's. First-pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. from the NU Softball Field in Wichita, Kan.
