The University’s softball team split a conference doubleheader with the Fairfield Stags on Sunday, April 19 at MU Softball Park.
Game 1 saw MU enjoy a 8-0 victory while the Stags got their revenge in Game 2 with a 10-2 win. The split moves the Hawks’ record to 11-19 (7-5 MAAC).
Freshman Amanda Riley started for the Hawks in Game 1 and limited the Stags to three hits in her complete game victory. The Californian native has the lowest ERA on her team at 4.58 and is tied with senior Breanna Sniffen for most wins with four.
Freshman Chloe Howerth led the team offensively in Game 1 batting 2-for-2 with two runs, an RBI, and a walk. All but three starters had hits for the Hawks.
MU helped Riley early in the game with a one run first inning to get on the board. Howerth drew a walk to get on the base path and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Junior Ashalynn Umiamaka singled to right to bring Howerth home.
The Hawks furthered their lead to six in the second inning. Senior Vanessa Cardoza started the rally with a solo shot to left field. With one out and the bases loaded, Umiamaka walked to score junior Nikki Sandelier. Sophomore Justene Reyes doubled to center to clear the bases.
The Hawks scored their eighth run of the game in the following inning. Howerth doubled down the left field line to bring home Redmond.
The second game featured sophomore Sydney Underhill who pitched two innings and allowed three runs off four hits. Underhill, who had a 3.18 ERA last year with a 18-15 record, suffered her eleventh loss of the season in Game 2. Sniffen relieved Underhill in the third and last 1.2 innings allowing four runs. Riley was summoned to finish the game; she pitched 3.1 innings allowing three runs.
Fairfield was the first to strike when Lauren Filicia singled to get on the base path, then stole second and came home on a single to centerfield. The Stags increased their lead to three in the second.
MU suffered a detrimental fourth inning as the Stags scored four runs. A single to center field and a fielding error caused the first two runs of the inning while a home run to left center caused the next two runs of the fourth.
Sophomore Rachel Shotzbarger gave the Hawks their first run in the bottom of the fourth with a home run to left center. Senior Kayleena Flores scored on a double from Cardoza to give the Hawks their second and final run of the game.
A home run by Nicole Capra in the fifth advanced the Stags lead by one. Fairfield secured their victory in the seventh when they added two more runs to the box score. The Hawks will return to the field on Wednesday, April 22 for a non-conference game against Penn at 4 pm.
PHOTO COURTESY of Taylor Jackson
