QUINCY, Ill. - The Quincy University softball team split its opening day series with Lindenwood University Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 14). The Hawks fell in the first game of the day 9-7 before responding with a 10-2 win over the Lions.
The Hawks struck early in game one, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. The first two Hawks reached base and were advanced to second and third after a groundout by Morgan Heckman. Kay Bettendorf doubled to right center to score Jakie Farbak and Jessica Poore. Bettendorf scored scored on a single Megan Sharpshair.
Lindenwood plated five runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 5-3 lead. The Lions scored their five runs on five hits. However, QU managed to limit the damage as the Lions left the bases loaded as Sara Demuth got a Lion to strikeout looking to end the frame.
Poore led off the top of the third with a single up the middle and later scored on a Kay Bettendorf single to cut the Lions lead to 5-4.
A pair of doubles by the Lions in the bottom of the third scored two runs as the Lions pushed their lead back to 7-4 after three full innings.
Another two-run inning by Lindenwood in the bottom of the fourth stretched the lead to 9-4.
The first four Hawks reached base in the top of the fifth and QU added three runs in the inning to trim the Lions lead to 9-7.
Both teams went quietly during their next several innings and the Hawks looked to tie the game in the top of the seventh. The Hawks brought the tying run to the plate as Morgan Heckman walked to lead off the frame. The Hawks went down in order after the leadoff walk and fell to the Lions 9-7.
In game two, Mac Kenzie Collier was dominant on the mound. Collier worked all seven innings, yielding just two runs while scattering seven hits and striking out 10 Lions.
Collier had an early cushion as the Hawks again scored three runs in the top of the first. The Hawks scored their three runs on three hits, taking advantage of an error and a wild pitch by the Lions.
Collier worked out of a jam in the bottom of the first as she stranded a pair of runs on base.
QU threatened again in the top of the second. The Hawks loaded the bases with just one out but were unable to extend their lead as Kay Bettendorf popped up to short and Kylie Powers grounded into a fielders choice.
After a three and out by both Lindenwood and QU, the Lions struck in the bottom of the third. A double and a single followed by a Hawks throwing error cut the Hawks lead to 3-1. Another Lions single plated a run and the Hawks lead stood a 3-2.
Jessica Poore singled home Courtney Kernich to push the QU lead back to 4-2.
The Hawks scored again in the top of the fourth as Kylie Powers doubled to lead off the inning and Remi Ferguson walked. A successful sacrifice bunt by Raigen Schwartz moved both runners up to second and third. A single by Courtney Kernich scored both runs and extend the Hawks lead to 6-2.
Several batters later, Jessica Poore singled and Kernich was thrown out at the plate trying to make the score 7-2.
QU did extend their lead to 7-2 after a double by Remi Ferguson scored Kay Bettendorf.
The Hawks put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh as they scored three runs on three hits to make the scored 10-2.
Collier set the Lions down in order in the bottom of the seventh to pick up her first collegiate win.
Kay Bettendorf finished the day 4-9 with five RBIs and a run scored. Raigen Schwartz finished 3-6 on the day and Jessica Poore finished 5-8 with three RBIs.
QU is now 1-1 on the young season and travel to Evansville, Indiana for the Southern Indiana Crossover February 23rd-25th.
