WICHITA, Kan. – Newman hosted the McPherson Bulldogs for a non-conference matchup before beginning MIAA Conference play this weekend. The Jets would walk away with a split of the doubleheader after dropping the first game 11-3 and bouncing back to win the second game 9-5.
In game one, Newman would jump out to a 1-0 lead after
Lacey Colvin would drive in
Lauren Kuhrt with a double down the left field line. The Jets would add to their lead two innings later when Colvin would once again score L. Kuhrt, this time with a sacrifice fly to centerfield.
Bailey Bugner would add a homerun in the same inning to put Newman ahead 3-0 after three innings. The Bulldogs would put runs on the board in each of the final three innings. Scoring two in the fifth, one in the sixth and exploding for eight in the seventh as they would jump out to an 8 run lead heading into the bottom of the seventh. Newman would get two runners on in the final frame, but would come away unsuccessful as they would drop game one to McPherson.
Lauren Kuhrt would lead the way for the Jets offensively as she would reach base in every at bat going a perfect 4 for 4 from the box.
In game two, Newman would once again jump out to an early lead as they would strike for two in the bottom of the first when
Paige Wallace would hit a single advancing L. Kuhrt to third, both runners would move up a base on an error by the Bulldog second basemen. Wallace would score on a Bugner infield single to the shortstop. McPherson would get a run back in the top of the second on a solo homerun. The Jets would answer right back with a run of their own in the bottom half when Colvin would reach on a fielder's choice that would score
Kameron Pope.
In the fourth, Wallace would once again bring in L. Kuhrt, this time with an RBI triple down the right field line. Colvin would drive Wallace in with an RBI single to left field. After a single and a fielder's choice would move Colvin over to third base,
Jaleigh Conkle would bring her home with an RBI double to left field making the score 6-1 for the Jets. McPherson would respond in the next half inning with three runs of their own when a bases loaded double would score two runs and an RBI groundout would score the other.
The Jets however, would answer back again, this time with two runs all scored with two outs. After the first two batters of the inning were retired, Colvin hit a solo shot to left center for Newman's first run of the inning. Bugner would follow up the homerun with a single and would be brought in by an
Emma Eck RBI single to left field that would give the Jets an 8-4 lead. The Jets would add another run in the following inning when Pope would get her first homerun of the season to put NU up 9-4. Newman would give up one more run to the Bulldogs in the top of the seventh, but would shut down the comeback and secure the 9-5 victory to salvage a split on the day.
Paige Wallace and
Bailey Bugner would lead the way for the Jets in game two as they would both go 3 for 4.
The Jets will be back in action this Friday, March 6 as they host Rogers State for their first MIAA Conference doubleheader with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 PM.
