Grizzly Softball defeats ASU-Mountain Home in double header
The Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Softball team won both games of a double header against Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASU-MH) Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Hilburn Sports Complex in West Plains.
The Grizzlies (11-7-1) took the first game 17-3 then came back from a four-run deficit in the second game to win 16-4.
Early game action
Sophomore infielder McKenzie Massey, Grandby, drove in four runs on one hit to lead the Grizzlies past the Trailblazers. Massey homered to center field in the bottom of the first inning, scoring three runs.
The Grizzlies' biggest inning offensively came in the fourth when they scored nine runs. Two errors by the Trailblazers allowed the Grizzlies to score their first two runs of the inning. Freshman pitcher Brooklyn Hasler, Ozark, then smashed a double that scored two more runs. Freshman infielder Alexis Funkhouser, Sullivan, also hit a double that scored one run.
Freshman catcher Brydon Maddox, Malden, drew a walk that scored one run, while freshman infielder Sydney Myler, Carrollton, singled to bring in two more runs. Freshman outfielder Lexie Gastineau, Ava, grounded out but still drove in one run to round out the inning.
The Grizzlies also picked up one run in the second inning after freshman Kennedy Cogdill, East Prairie, grounded out, and two more in the bottom of the third on a home run by Maddox to center field on an 0-2 count.
Freshman pitcher Jordyn Foley, Ozark, earned the win for the Grizzlies. She didn't give up a hit or a run over three innings while striking out six batters and walking none. Cogdill threw one inning of zero-run ball in relief. She gave up no hits and no walks. In her one inning of work, Hasler gave up three hits off three earned runs while fanning two batters.
The Grizzlies amassed 12 hits in the game. Foley, Maddox, Funkhouser and freshman Zoey Williams, West Plains, each collected two hits for MSU-WP. The Grizzlies also stole four bases in the contest.
Defensively, MSU-WP was sure-handed and didn't commit a single error. Maddox made the most plays with eight.
Late game
The Trailblazers opened the nightcap with three singles that put them on the scoreboard first with one run.
The Grizzlies answered in the bottom of the side with a 10-run onslaught. Cogdill's and Massey's singles scored two runs. Funkhouser followed with a double that scored two more runs. Myler and freshman outfielder Karissa Roberts, Ozark, both doubled, knocking in one run each.
Freshman outfielder Kaydyn Bond, Doniphan, knocked in a run off a single, then freshman infielder Keeley Akers, Ava, homered to left field knocking in two more runs. Freshman infielder Gloria Alvarado, Rogersville, finished the scoring for the Grizzlies in the first when she knocked in a run off a single.
The Grizzlies added to their lead in the bottom the third after Myler doubled and Bond walked, each scoring one run.
Foley picked up her second win for the day. She surrendered 10 hits and four runs, one earned, over four and two-thirds innings. She also fanned six batters. Cogdill finished out the game in relief.
The Grizzlies accumulated 17 hits in the game. Williams, Roberts, Myler, Cogdill and Gastineau each collected two hits. Funkhouser provided pop in the middle of the lineup, leading MSU-WP with three runs batted in while going 1-2 at the plate.
Akers, Massey and Roberts each stole multiple bases during the contest, helping the Grizzlies accumulate 17 for the game. The Grizzlies also tallied seven walks.
Next up
The Grizzlies will close out their fall exhibition season this weekend. They will host Region 16 rival Moberly Area Community College at noon Saturday, then host North Arkansas College at 4 p.m. that same day at Hilburn Sports Complex.
Sunday, they will travel to Rolla to face Missouri S&T in a double header. Game times are noon and 2 p.m.
For more information about the Grizzly Softball team, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com or check out the team's Facebook page, Facebook.com/GrizzlySB.