WEATHERFORD, Okla. - Newman Softball split with Southwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday, winning the second game after being down by four runs in the first two innings. The Jets responded with nine unanswered runs to end the game, as they have now won five out of their last six games.
Coming into Tuesday, the Jets had two straight sweeps over University of Mary and McPherson last week to move them to twelve wins this season.
Game 1
The Jets took an early lead following Gianna Navarro reaching third on an error by the Bulldogs right fielder. Hayley Bonython would bring the short stop home the next play to give Newman a 1-0 lead in the first.
In the bottom of the inning, the Bulldogs scored the first of two home runs that helped them separate themselves from the Jets the rest of the way.
The Jets got within a run after Madi Canez was walked with the bases loaded, but the offense was struggling to find hits in the first game and would not be able to get into many scoring positions.
The Bulldogs would score one run in each of the next four innings to give them a 7-2 victory.
Game 2
A tough start followed in game two, as the Bulldogs took a commanding four run lead after two innings, culminating in yet another home run.
The sixth and seventh innings would be crucial to the outcome of the game, as the Jets put on one of their best performances of the season.
Starting with a Kayla Lopez triple that scored Rylie Gresham, the rally was truly on for Newman.
Canez scored Lopez shortly after on a single into left field, as the Jets were finding the offense that they were sorely missing in the early innings.
Bonython had a two RBI double in the inning as well as Newman was finally able to tie the game at four. Off of a fielding error the next play, Bonython scored the winning run for Newman's first lead of the day.
Another massive inning in the seventh ensued, with another four runs scoring. Kaitlyn Praught scored Newman's ninth run, coming off Bonython's third RBI of the game.
After Jackie Gold had entered the game in the bottom of the fourth, Southwestern Oklahoma State was unable to score any more runs. In the final two innings, Gold helped get six consecutive batters out to end the game.
The Jets won comfortably after the two big innings, 9-4.
Canez and Lopez each had three hits, while four other Jets had two.
In the final four innings, Jackie Gold allowed just one hit and struck out two for her sixth win of the season.
The Jets will return home later this week to resume conference play, hosting Northwest Missouri State on Friday and Missouri Western on Saturday.
