KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — The Truman State Bulldogs swept a home doubleheader against Quincy on Saturday, winning 3-0 in the opener and 4-1 in the nightcap to move to 13-21 overall and 5-5 in GLVC play. Both wins were fueled by timely hitting and strong pitching performances from a Bulldogs staff that did not allow an earned run until the second game's sixth inning.
Game 1 — Truman 3, Quincy 0
Jayda Long turned in a gem in the opener, holding Quincy to three hits over 5.2 shutout innings to improve to 7-5 on the season. Avaree Taylor came on in relief and finished the game with four strikeouts across 1.1 innings, combining with Long on a three-hit shutout.
Truman got on the board in the first inning when Emily Wood drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and came around to score on a Cassie Smith sacrifice fly to right field, making it 1-0. The Bulldogs put the game away in the third. With two outs, Cassie Smith drew a walk and stole second, then Katie Pilcher launched a two-run home run to left center to push the lead to 3-0, all the offense Truman would need.
Katie Pilcher finished 3-for-3 with two RBI and the home run. Maddie Hickman added a hit and Emily Wood reached base twice. Quincy starter Alexus Freeman took the loss, walking five and hitting three batters across six innings.
Game 2 — Truman 4, Quincy 1
The Bulldogs kept the momentum going in the afternoon game, building a 4-0 lead through four innings before holding off a late Quincy threat to complete the sweep.
Madison Kluever got Truman on the board in the second inning, singling up the middle before being replaced by pinch runner Paige Branstetter, who eventually scored on a Maddie Hickman single to center field for a 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs added another run in the third when Kluever, back in the circle, delivered an RBI double to left field that scored Cassie Smith, who had singled to open the inning, to make it 2-0.
Truman put the game away with a two-run fourth. Maddie Hickman led off with a walk and scored on an Avaree Taylor double to left center. Cassie Smith then doubled to center to score Taylor, stretching the lead to 4-0. Smith stole third before the inning ended.
Quincy picked up its only run in the sixth when Makala Koozer doubled, moved to third on a Kenzie Moss single, and scored on a Hannah Uhles groundout to make it 4-1. Kluever earned the win, working 5.1 innings and allowing just one earned run on five hits with three strikeouts. Brooke Nutter and Avaree Taylor combined to finish out the final 1.2 innings. Taylor also picked up her second save of the season, after earning her first in the earlier game against Quincy.
Smith had another standout day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base. Taylor went 2-for-4 with a double and RBI in addition to her time in the circle. Kluever went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI as well. Quincy starter Haley Martin took the loss.
Up Next:
Saturday's sweep gives the Bulldogs their longest winning streak of the season so far with four straight wins at a time they crucially needed it. Truman State now has climbed back to .500 in GLVC play at 5-5 and will look to utilize a long stretch of home games to secure their spot in the GLVC tournament. The Bulldogs will play the league leading UIndy Greyhounds next weekend starting at noon.
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