Grizzly Softball will take 21-7 record into today's double header against East Central
The Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Softball team will take a 21-7 record into their double header today, March 29, against East Central College, at the Hilburn Sports Complex adjacent to West Plains High School.
Game times are set for 2 and 4 p.m.
The Grizzlies picked up four wins last week in double headers against Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City and St. Louis Community College.
Against Metropolitan
The Grizzlies traveled to Kansas City March 19 and secured a hard-fought 5-4 victory in the first game against the Wolves and an 11-8 win in the second.
MSU-WP struck first in the opener with two runs in the first inning. They added two more in the third and another in the fifth. The Wolves made a run in the bottom of sixth with four runs, but the Grizzlies held them off in the seventh.
Freshman second baseman Zoey Williams, West Plains, led the offensive charge for the Grizzlies going 3-3 with a home run, 3 RBIs and a stolen base. Freshmen Lexie Gastineau of Ava, Alexis Funkhouser of Sullivan and Brooklyn Hasler of Ozark each hit a single.
Freshman pitcher Jordyn Foley, Ozark, pitched all seven innings of the first game. She allowed four runs (two earned) off six hits and three walks while fanning 12 batters.
Metropolitan got on the scoreboard first in the nightcap, scoring four runs in the first and another in the second, but MSU-WP's offense came alive in the third inning, and the Grizzlies knocked in four runs in the side and seven more in the top of the fourth. The Wolves mounted a comeback in the bottom of the sixth with three runs, but the Grizzlies' defense shut them down before Wolves could overcome them.
Seven Grizzlies garnered hits in the contest. Freshman catcher Brydon Maddox led the way with a home run and two RBIs. Williams' double brought in three RBIs. Funkhouser hit a single and a double that brought in two RBIs. Gastineau, Foley and Hasler each hit a single that brought in a run, as well.
Freshman Kennedy Cogdill started on the mound for MSU-WP. In two innings work, she gave up five earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out two batters. Foley finished the game giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out nine batters.
"We did an excellent job executing in both games," Grizzly Softball Head Coach Don Long said. "The girls played great team softball and everyone did their job. Jordyn has been pitching at a high level keeping us in every game. I like where we are at this point in the season."
Against St. Louis
On March 21, the Grizzlies hosted the St. Louis Archers at Hilburn Sports Complex and earned a 4-2 win in the first game and a 4-1 victory in the nightcap.
The Grizzlies took an early lead in the opener scoring two runs in the first inning and another in the second. The Archers got on the board with a run in the third, but the Grizzlies answered with another run in the bottom of the fourth. The Archers scored their last run in the top of the sixth.
Williams and Funkhouser each went 1-3 in the game, each scoring a home run. Williams' run brought in two base runners, while Funkhouser's brought in one. Maddox went 2-3 in the contest with a single and a double.
Foley pitched all seven innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits with one walk and 11 strikeouts.
In the second game, the Archers scored first with a run in the second inning, but the Grizzlies quickly answered with runs in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings. MSU-WP's defense kept St. Louis off the board for the rest of the contest.
Massey and Maddox each hit home runs that picked up an RBI. Gastineau, Foley and Hasler also picked up hits in the contest.
Foley pitched all seven innings, giving up one earned run on four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.
"The girls are playing really well right now," Long said. "Our execution has been better the last several games, and it's helped up to put more runs on the board. St. Louis is an excellent program, and to be able to come out and win both of those games is a confidence booster for the team."
Next up
After today's double header against East Central, the Grizzlies will travel to Hillsboro Saturday, March 30, for a double header against Region 16 rival Jefferson College. Game times are noon and 2 p.m.
MSU-WP's next home games will be Tuesday, April 2, against State Fair Community College. Game times are 2 and 4 p.m. at Hilburn Sports Complex.
For more information about the Grizzly Softball team, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com or check out the team's Facebook page, Facebook.com/GrizzlySB.