KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – In their home debut, the Truman State Softball team earned a doubleheader split with the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) on Sunday afternoon. The Cougars used a big first inning to take the opener 6-1 while the Bulldogs scored three times in the third inning of game two to win 5-1.
 
The team will be off until next Sunday when they will open up Great Lakes Valley Conference action hosting Upper Iowa in a doubleheader beginning at noon.
 
Sioux Falls started the day by loading the bases with their first three hitters. Caragan Baker snared a liner at third for the first out but the next hitter got one under her glove as she dove to her left for an RBI single. The next hitter hit a comebacker to the pitcher but a throwing error allowed two runners to cross the plate for the 3-0 lead.
 
An RBI single in the third made it 4-0 and a two-run homer in the fifth posted a 6-0 lead.
 
Madi McCarty got a run back for the Bulldogs as she turned on a pitch and drove it over the left field fence for the home run.
 
The Bulldogs turned the tables in game two. Maddie Anderson went six strong innings, allowing three hits and struck out two to pick up the win.
 
Abbie Danchus led off the third with a bases on ball and Ryleigh Jones followed with a double to the fence in right center. Emily Wood singled to center which scored pinch runner Nina Fenasci and the throw home was off line allowing Jones to touch the plate.
 
Cassie Smith was walked following a pitching change and took off for second allowing Wood to race home for the stolen base and 3-0 lead.
 
Smith singled in Wood for a run in the fifth and later scored herself on a wild pitch.
 
The only run allowed by Anderson was in the top of the seventh when Taryn Wagner led off the inning with a home run. Brieanna Klein came in to pitch and recorded the final three outs.
 
The Bulldogs swiped six bases in game two with Wood and Smith each nabbing two each