Grizzly Softball now 23-9; will face MAC today
The Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Softball team will enter today's double header against Region 16 rival Mineral Area College (MAC) with a 23-9 record.
The games are set for 2 and 4 p.m. in Park Hills.
In action last week, the Grizzlies defeated East Central College 14-0 and 5-4 in a double header at home. But they lost both games of a double header against Region 16 rival Jefferson College 4-3 and 19-0 in Hillsboro.
Against East Central
On March 28, the Grizzlies dominated Falcons in the first game thanks in large part to a stellar offensive performance by freshman second baseman Zoey Williams. The West Plains High School graduate hit two home runs and racked up five RBIs. Williams went 4-4 at the plate, adding a single and a double to her two home runs.
Sophomore shortstop Kenzie Massey, Grandby, hit a home run that brought in two base runners. She also had two stolen bases. Freshman first baseman Alexis Funkhouser, Sullivan, also brought in two base runners off her single and double. Freshman third baseman Brydon Maddox, Malden, hit three singles and had an RBI. In all, the Grizzlies scored 14 runs on 12 hits in the contest.
Defensively, freshman pitcher Jordyn Foley, Ozark, gave up two hits and a walk while fanning eight batters in four innings of work. Freshman Brooklyn Hasler, Ozark, pitched the last inning, striking out one batter.
The nightcap proved to be a more competitive game. The Grizzlies took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning. The Falcons battled back with two runs in the top of the fifth, but the Grizzlies answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth. The Falcons tied it up at 4-4 with two runs in the top of the six, but the Grizzlies answered with the winning run in the bottom of the sixth.
Pitching proved to be crucial to the game's outcome. Foley picked up the win from the mound for the Grizzlies with a solid performance. She allowed four runs on five hits while giving up two walks and striking out nine batters.
Williams and Massey each hit home runs for the Grizzlies. Williams knocked in four RBIs in the game, while Massey knocked in one. Funkhouser hit two singles.
"We hit the ball really well in both games," Grizzly Softball Head Coach Don Long said. "Zoey Williams and Kenzie Massey were standouts in the series. Both players hit multiple home runs to lead us offensively, and Jordyn threw the ball well in both games."
Against Jefferson
In the first game against Jefferson on March 31, the Grizzlies started strong with two runs in the first inning and another in the third, but the Vikings paced their offense throughout the contest, picking up a run in the first, third, fourth and seven innings to secure the win.
Foley had another solid performance on the mound. In 6.2 innings of work, she gave up four runs on four hits and struck out four batters while allowing three walks.
Freshman center fielder Lexie Gastineau, Ava, led the Grizzlies' offense with two singles and three stolen bases. Massey added another single.
"Jordyn pitched well enough to win the game. She only gave up one earned run, which should be enough to get the win," Long said. "I was disappointed in the way we played defensively."
In the nightcap, the Grizzlies' defense faltered and allowed the Vikings to score a combined eight runs in the second and third innings, followed by an 11-run outburst in the fourth. In all, the Grizzlies allowed 19 runs on 19 hits.
The only offense the Grizzlies could muster were a double by Funkhouser and a single by Hasler.
"Jefferson had an offensive explosion and there wasn't much we could do," Long said. "We need to shake off these losses and keep looking forward. We still have over 20 conference games, and we want to keep competing at the top level."
Next up
After today's double header against MAC, the Grizzlies will travel to Sedalia for a double header against Region 16 rival State Fair Community College. Game times are 1 and 3 p.m.
MSU-WP's next home games will be Tuesday, April 9, against North Central Missouri College. Game times are 1 and 3 p.m. at the Hilburn Sports Complex adjacent to West Plains High School.
For more information about the Grizzly Softball team, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com or check out the team's Facebook page, Facebook.com/GrizzlySB.