HAYS, Kan. – The Newman University Softball team suffered a pair of late heartbreaking losses Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 17) to Fort Hays State University. Newman fell in the first game 3-1 before dropping the nightcap 3-2 on a walk off hit. Newman falls to 13-34 on the season while Fort Hays State improves to 19-18 on the season.
GAME 1
Senior, Adrienne Esposito broke the scoreless affair recording her first RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly to center field scoring, Lacey Colvin who led the inning off with a single up the middle giving Newman a 1-0 lead.
The Jets lead would be erased in the home half of the third inning as the Tigers broke through with a 2-out RBI single to center field knotting the score up, 1-1.
Starting pitcher, Bailey Bugner continued her solid pitching performance, keeping the Tigers at bay through the next two innings allowing just one hit, unfortunately the Jets were unable to take advantage stranding a baserunner in both the fourth and sixth innings.
In the home half of the sixth-inning, FHSU took advantage on a NU throwing error plating the eventual game winning run and insurance run with a pair taking a 3-1 lead.
The Jets would get the tying run to the plate in the seventh after sophomore Emma Eck forced a walk during a nine pitch at-bat, however the Jets were unable to amount a rally attempt falling 3-1.
GAME 2
Just like the first game, Newman jumped in-front 1-0, on a Bailey Bugner single up the middle driving home Lauren Kuhrt who opened the game drawing a five pitch walk. The NU lead would not last long as the Tigers tied the score up 1-1 on a lead-off home run.
After a back and forth pitchers dual over the next two innings, Newman would regain the lead 2-1 as Katherine Stanford came home to score on the second FHSU error in the inning.
Senior hurler Chantel Purcella continued to dominate the Tigers lineup over the next two innings including a three pitch fourth keeping the Jets out front 2-1 through five innings.
In the sixth, the Tigers gained new life as a nine pitch at-bat led to a 2-out single up the middle allowing the tying run to score on the play.
Looking to answer back in the top of the seventh, Kameron Pope led the inning off reaching base on FHSU's fourth error of the game. Unfortunately the Jets would run themselves out of a scoring chance in the inning as pinch runner Shanda Cox was caught stealing the very next play. In the home half of the seventh, FHSU got a lead off bunt single setting up the eventual game winning run as the Tigers recorded a 2-out walk-off single to center field.
The Jets will get a much needed six-day break before concluding their final Heartland Conference series Tuesday (Apr. 23) against Oklahoma Christian.
