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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Sara Sempek
Corbey R. Dorsey
4
Nebraska-Kearney UNKSOFT 17-22, 11-12 MIAA
14
Winner Central Missouri UCM 29-16, 13-6 MIAA
Nebraska-Kearney UNKSOFT
17-22, 11-12 MIAA
4
Final
14
Central Missouri UCM
29-16, 13-6 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E
Nebraska-Kearney UNKSOFT 3 0 0 0 1 4 6 4
Central Missouri UCM 6 0 1 7 X 14 16 1

W: Johnson,Jordan (6-5) L: Hallman, Erin (10-6)

4
Winner Nebraska-Kearney UNKSOFT 18-22, 12-12 MIAA
3
Central Missouri UCM 29-17, 13-7 MIAA
Winner
Nebraska-Kearney UNKSOFT
18-22, 12-12 MIAA
4
Final
3
Central Missouri UCM
29-17, 13-7 MIAA
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Nebraska-Kearney UNKSOFT 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 4 12 1
Central Missouri UCM 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 3 6 0

W: Handrahan, Sarah (8-9) L: Wishard,Gentry (9-5) S: Hallman, Erin (4)

Game Recap: Softball |

Small Ball Leads to Big Win in Warrensburg

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney softball team used three straight bunts to score two runs in the top of the seventh inning to upset Central Missouri, 4-3, Saturday afternoon in Warrensburg.

The regionally-ranked Jennies (29-17, 13-7) used 16 hits and took advantage of four first inning errors to win the early game, 14-4 (5 innings).

After ending UCM's six-game winning streak, UNK (18-22, 12-12) is now in sole possession of seventh place in the MIAA standings. Both Lindenwood and Pittsburg State are 11-11 with Emporia State and Northeastern State tied for fifth at 12-10. Regular season play will finish up next weekend with the eight-team MIAA Tournament set for May 1-4 in Oklahoma City.

The Lopers out hit the Jennies 12-6 in the nightcap but left nine runners on base. UCM used an infield single and double to center to break a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the sixth. Missouri sophomore Sarah Handrahan (8-9) got a strikeout and infield pop up to keep the deficit at one.

Kearney junior shortstop and nine-hole hitter Kaitlyn Johnson led off the Loper seventh with a five-pitch walk and then Lincoln freshman right fielder Carlee Liesch (1 for 4) smacked a single up the middle on the first pitch she saw.

The Lopers went to small ball to rally as three straight bunts moved up Johnson and Liesch and allowed them to score. Missouri junior center fielder Alexis Ray (1 for 3, one run) had the sac bunt with Papillion junior designated player Alexis Howe (1 for 3) and senior third baseman Cheyenne Hamilton (4 for 4, two RBI's) having the unlikely RBI bunts. They are UNK's third and fourth hitters in the order.  

Missouri junior Erin Hallman worked a clean seventh to record her fourth save. Finally, Colorado sophomore catcher Karlee Arnold was 2 for 4 with an RBI.

UNK led game one 3-0 after a half inning but four errors led to six unearned runs for the Jennies in the bottom of the first. UCM then threw up a seven spot in the fourth to pick up the win. Liesch and Omaha junior first baseman Sara Sempek each went 2 for 3 to pace the Lopers. Liesch has now hit safely in 15 straight games.

Kearney finishes up MIAA play next Saturday at Fort Hays State (20-21, 11-13) and then hosts the Tigers on Sunday in non-conference action.
 
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