SHAWNEE, Kan. — Truman State's softball team made a strong statement at the Midwest Classic Tournament this weekend, going 3-1 over two days in Shawnee and capping the trip with an impressive victory over 12th-ranked Rogers State. After dropping the opener to Pittsburg State on Friday, the Bulldogs rattled off three consecutive wins on Saturday to close out the tournament on a high note.
Friday's opener against Pittsburg State proved to be a tough outing. The Gorillas built momentum through the middle innings, scoring nine runs in the fourth to pull away for a 15-0 run-rule victory. Lydia Feiste started in the circle for Truman, going three and two-thirds innings before giving way. The Bulldogs managed just three hits on the day — one each from Cassie Smith, Katie Pilcher, and Ella Florey — and turned two double plays defensively, but could not generate enough offense to stay in the game. Pittsburg State's Hall went 3-for-3 and drove in two runs, while Peterson and Lamont each added two RBI for the Gorillas.
Truman bounced back Saturday morning with an 8-4 victory over Newman. The Bulldogs trailed 4-1 entering the bottom of the fifth before erupting for five runs on four hits to flip the game. Kyleia Salyars delivered the big blow of the inning with a two-run single that gave Truman the lead for good at 6-4. Smith was a force at the top of the lineup, going 4-for-4 with four singles to set the table all afternoon. Emily Wood added two hits, and Riley Redig finished with three RBI on the day. Jayda Long started in the circle and worked four innings before Avaree Taylor came on in relief and shut Newman down over the final three frames, allowing just one unearned run while striking out three.
Game three against Nebraska-Kearney was a pitcher's duel from start to finish, with Truman holding on for a 3-1 win behind a strong combined effort in the circle. Feiste bounced back from Friday's outing with four and a third strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits. Long then came on and delivered two and two-thirds scoreless innings in relief to close it out. Truman got on the board first when Taylor grounded out to plate a run in the first, and Smith gave the Bulldogs the lead for good with a single in the second. Wood provided the insurance run with a solo home run to center field in the fifth. Wood, Taylor, and Smith each drove in one run for Truman in the victory.
The weekend's signature win came in the finale against No. 12 Rogers State. Truman built a 5-0 lead through three innings and held on for a 5-3 victory over the nationally-ranked Hillcats. Brooke Nutter got things going in the second inning with an RBI single, and the Bulldogs added three more in the third to stretch the advantage. Taylor started in the circle and worked three innings, and Nutter came on in relief to throw four dominant innings — allowing just two hits and one run while striking out five — to secure the upset. Lily Arndt, batting ninth, led the offense with two hits in three at bats. Rogers State's Jordan drove in two runs and Gorman collected two hits in a late comeback bid, but Truman's bullpen held firm to close out the impressive win over a top-15 program.
Up Next:
Truman State righted the ship over the weekend and now is seeing their reigning all-conference players performing well, while the whole team played great defense and got key outs on the mound. The Bulldogs will play one more tournament this coming weekend at the Branson Grand Slam. The Bulldogs will face off against Washburn and Lincoln on Friday and will play their second games of the year against Nebraska-Kearney and Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday.
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