Bulldogs and Lady Blues Split One-Run Games

Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score | Season Statistics
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Two RBI's by Corey Niblett (Troy, Mo., Troy Buchanan) and a two-hit showing by Laura Miller (Columbia, Mo., Hickman) led the Truman softball team to a 4-3 victory in game one against Washburn (Kan.) University on Tuesday afternoon. The Bulldogs, however, fell in extras in game two, 1-0.

Washburn (16-20, 7-9 MIAA) got on the board early in the top of the first, sending two runners across the plate. The Bulldogs (21-26, 5-13 MIAA) answered back in the second and third innings, scoring the four that they would need to pull out the victory in game one.

In the bottom of the second, Liz Leath (St. Charles, Mo., Francis Howell Central) started the Bulldog offense with a single through the left side. Two more singles and a fielding error sent the Bulldogs around the bases to tie it up at 2-2.

Back-to-back-to-back walks in the bottom of the third by Kelsey Bollman (Maquoketa, Iowa, Maquoketa), Bridget Schade (Herculaneum, Mo., Herculaneum) and Leath got things rolling for the 'Dogs before Mary Manley (Des Peres, Mo., Kirkwood ) singled up the middle to score Bollman. The Bulldogs would keep the bases loaded throughout the inning, having two runners thrown out from fielder's choice plays, but Truman tacked on its fourth run when Manley touched home on a Niblett single.

Washburn scored one more in the top of the sixth, but it was not enough as the Bulldogs and pitcher Kelsea Dorsey (Clarksville, Mo., Clopton) held on for their 21^st victory of the season. Dorsey threw a complete game with six strikeouts and only one walk while earning her 14^th victory.

The Bulldogs were provided many opportunities in game two but left nine on base in a 1-0 eight-inning loss. The best chance for the Bulldogs to score came in the bottom of the sixth when Bollman pounded a leadoff triple, but, after Danielle Lewellen (Kirksville, Mo., Kirksville) entered to pinch run, the 'Dogs couldn't plate the go-ahead tally and moved to the seventh still scoreless.

The sole run in the game came in the top of the eighth by Washburn, as the Lady Blues converted on a pair of singles and a stolen base. The 'Dogs got a base runner to third in the bottom of the eighth, but could not get her home to settle for a split. Ashley Rotkvich (Crestwood, Ill., Shepard) posted one of her strongest starts of the season in game two, putting in the full eight full innings of work with four strikeouts.

Katie Pitts (Jefferson City, Mo., Helias) went 4-for-7 on the day, while Bollman went 2-for-5 with an .800 slugging percentage in the games combined.

Truman will hit the road this upcoming Friday for a doubleheader at Northwest Missouri State University before hosting Senior Day on Sunday against the University of Sioux Falls (S.D). First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 3:00 pm and on Sunday at 1:00 pm.

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