Grizzly Softball now 9-3 after Drury Classic
The Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Softball team faced some of its toughest competition to date this past weekend, March 1 and 2, at the Drury University Classic tournament in Springfield.
The Grizzlies went 1-3 in the two-day event and are now 9-3 on the season. They opened with a 7-2 loss to Neosho County Community College Friday before picking up a 10-4 decision against Coffeyville Community College later that same day.
On Saturday, the Grizzlies fell to Johnson County Community College 14-0 in the first game of the day, then lost to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) 13-9 to close out the event.
But Head Coach Don Long seemed pleased with the outing nonetheless. "It was a great weekend, and we were able to face some good competition," he said.
Against NEO
The final game of the event turned into a slugfest between the Grizzlies and NEO before NEO finally prevailed in eight innings.
"I loved the way the girls battled back in the second game on Saturday," Long said. "We got down 7-2 early but battled back and had the lead going into the sixth inning. NEO tied the game in the top of the sixth then made a great play in the bottom of the sixth to rob Zoey Williams of a home run.
"Neither team was able to score in the seventh, so we went to the international tie breaker," he added. "NEO came up with some big hits to go ahead in the top of the eighth then held us in the bottom to win the game."
Freshman catcher Brydon Maddox, Malden, led the Grizzlies' offense. She hit two home runs and picked up four RBIs. Sophomore shortstop Kenzie Massey, Grandby, hit a double and a single and scored two runs. She also had an RBI and two stolen bases.
Freshman pitcher Jordyn Foley, Ozark, hit a double and a single and knocked in three RBIs. Freshman center fielder Lexie Gastineau, Ava, hit two singles, scored two runs and had two stolen bases. Freshman Kennedy Cogdill had a single, a walk, a stolen base and scored two runs.
Foley pitched all eight innings. She gave up 13 hits and 13 runs (9 earned), while fanning seven batters and walking three.
Friday's games
The Grizzlies struggled to generate offense in their opening game Friday against Neosho County. They only scored two runs off four hits. Williams, a freshman second baseman from West Plains, hit one of the runs, and freshman left fielder Brooklyn Hasler, Ozark, hit the other.
Foley pitched six of the game's seven innings. She gave up 7 hits and 7 runs (5 earned) while striking out six batters and walking two.
MSU-WP got off to a strong start against Coffeyville, scoring three runs in the first inning. Coffeyville fought back with three runs in the third, but the Grizzlies countered with two runs in the third and two more in the fourth to secure the win.
Massey led the offensive charge for the Grizzlies with a single and a double in her four trips to the plate. She scored three runs, picked up an RBI and had one steal. Williams also had a single and a double and scored one run. Hasler hit a single, scored two runs and had two RBIs.
Cogdill hit two singles, one of which drove in one runner. She also had a run and a stolen base. Gastineau rounded out the offense with a single. She also got on base with a walk and had one steal.
Defensively, Foley gave up 4 hits and 3 runs (2 earned) in six innings of work. She also struck out six batters. Hasler pitched the seventh inning, giving up 2 hits, 1 earned run and a walk.
"We struggled defensively Friday," Long said. "The first game we struggled hitting and were unable to keep up with Neosho County."
Against Johnson County
On Saturday, the Grizzlies struggled to get their offense going against Johnson County, only mustering two hits in the game. Those were hit by left fielder Madalyn Ivy, Mansfield, and Alexis Funkhouser, Sullivan.
MSU-WP didn't fare much better from the mound defensively. In 2.2 innings of work, Halser gave up 10 hits, 11 runs (5 earned) and a walk while fanning two batters. Cogdill, in her 1.1 innings of relief, give up 6 hits and 3 earned runs.
Next up
The Grizzlies are home this week, hosting Region 16 rival St. Charles Community College today, March 6, in a double header at the Hilburn Sports Complex adjacent to West Plains High School. Game times are 2 and 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 9, they will host State Fair Community College in another double header against a Region 16 team. Game times are 2 and 4 p.m. at the 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.