SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Hillcat Softball (33-17) split with Drury (23-27) in a doubleheader at Thompson Field on Wednesday afternoon. RSU dropped game one 1-0 before rallying in the seventh to claim game two, 2-1.
GAME ONE: RSU 0, DU 1
The Hillcats struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, as
Jaden Jordan and
Raelle Gorman each recorded singles in the second inning, but the Panthers' defense held firm, keeping the score tied at 0-0 through two innings.
In the sixth inning,
Rylee Bush and
Raylin Morgan both singled, pushing runners into scoring positions for RSU, but again, Drury escaped without conceding any runs.
The Panthers broke the deadlock in the bottom of the sixth when Emma Niemczyk singled and scored on an error, giving Drury a 1-0 lead. RSU was unable to respond in the final inning.
Senior pitcher
Harley Culie (17-9) delivered a standout performance in her 26th start of the season, striking out 10 batters over 6.0 innings and allowing just four hits. She concluded her complete game performance with no walks and 93 pitches (66 strikes).
GAME TWO: RSU 2, DU 1
RSU bounced back with late heroics in game two.
Drury took an early lead in the third inning when Gabrielle Bax scored on a sacrifice fly by Claire Nelson.
However, RSU rallied in the seventh inning.
Chloe Cardona doubled to left center and later scored on an RBI single by Jordan. Gorman, who had walked and stolen second, scored the game-winner on a sacrifice fly by
Saylor Brown.
Kinsley Hill (13-5) pitched a complete game for the Hillcats in her 24th start of the season, going 7.0 innings with only two hits and one earned. Additionally, she struck out a season-high nine batters while throwing 114 pitches (75 strikes).
Gorman contributed significantly offensively, scoring a run and drawing two walks, while Cardona added a run, a double and a stolen base.
UP NEXT
The Hillcats will wrap up the regular season this Saturday against the Northeastern State RiverHawks on Senior Day. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated to begin at noon.
