WICHITA - Softball hosted a conference doubleheader against Northwest Missouri State on Friday afternoon. The last time Newman hosted a conference game was on March 10th when they faced Washburn.
Newman was coming off of a nine to four win against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Tuesday afternoon. The Jets completed a comeback scoring five runs in the sixth inning and four in the seventh. Newman totaled sixteen hits in the game.
With the wind as an uninvited guest, the first game saw the Jets showcasing a good offense but not being able to score the hits they produced. The fifth inning decided the winner after the Bearcats scored five runs to not give the Jets a chance for the comeback. Game two was a back and forth battle with both teams having options to take the lead. A good defense from the Bearcats gave them the win.
Game 1:
Softball wasn't able to score off of their hits in the first couple of innings of the first game, leaving a total of five runners on base.
A single to third base from Lauren Kwak in the bottom of the third scored Hayley Bonython to give the Jets their first run and chance to hope for a comeback.
After a scoreless fourth inning, the Bearcats brought out their offensive "A" game in the top of the fifth scoring five runs that would leave the Jets seven runs behind in the scoreboard.
Despite trying different things and having a total of seven hits, the Jets weren't able to respond to that offense and saw the game end after six innings.
Game 2:
The second game saw a great defensive display from both teams. Senior Jackie Gold played all seven innings, and despite giving up five runs, had a very solid performance keeping the Jets in the game throughout all innings.
Newman left three runners on base before being able to score their first run in the sixth inning. A walk from Malie Noda and Anissa Ramos scored Madi Canez and Kaitlyn Praught, who had a very solid performance with two hits and a run, to put the Jets within two runs of the Bearcats. Newman missed out on a chance to tie the game up leaving the bases loaded
A second home run added another run for the Bearcats in the top of the seventh.
The Jets made a great effort and gave themselves a second chance to tie the game or even take the lead, with the bases loaded, but a good defensive display from the Bearcats denied them that option.
Up Next:
The Jets will be back tomorrow hosting a doubleheader against Missouri Western with game one starting at 1 PM.