Bolivar, MO - The SBU softball team continued their season at home, splitting a doubleheader against the University of Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars. This brings their record to 11-13 and continues their incredible conference start to 5-1, currently 2nd in the GLVC.
Game 1: L, 6-7
Senior Hayley Sites secured the first RBI of the game on a single that scored Margo Frossard in the bottom of the 3rd. The Prairie Stars answered with five straight runs before SBU added another on a Shalie Wooden home run, bringing the score to 2-5 going into the 6th inning. UIS added two in the top of the 6th and SBU answered with two of their own off RBI doubles from Wooden and Lexi Detwiler. In the bottom of the 7th, SBU brought the lead to within one on a 2-run homer off the bat of Audrey Rahlmann, scoring Angie Micone. Despite this comeback effort, the Prairie Stars held on for the victory.
Starting pitcher Emma Kreisel pitched into the 5th inning, striking out four, only giving up one earned run. Lindsey Essary and Abby Leer came on in relief.
Game 2: W, 9-5
The Bearcats answered the call in the second game as they faced a 3-run deficit heading into the bottom of the 4th. Keeley Elsea crossed the plate first on a Jacie Frencken fly out and error on the defense. Hayley Sites followed that up with a RBI single that scored Emma Vincent. In the 5th, SBU took brought the game to within one on a sacrifice fly from Shalie Wooden. Shortly after, Emma Vincent launched her first home run of the season bringing in Keeley Elsea and Graccee Godfrey, giving SBU a 6-4 lead. The Bearcats extended the lead, adding three runs in the 6th that got started with a single from Angie Micone, scoring Hayley Sites.
On the mound, Paige Leithead captured her second win of the season as she went five strong innings. Shalie Wooden finished with her second save of the season after notching two strikeouts in two innings.
SBU will continue their weekend action with a home doubleheader Sunday at 12 & 2 PM against #20 McKendree University.
