ST. CHARLES, Mo. - The Quincy University softball team opened its 2019 season with a doubleheader against the Lindenwood Lions on Thursday (Feb. 14). The Hawks dropped both games of the doubleheader by scores of 5-0 and 5-3.
Game 1
Courtney Kernich led off the game with a walk but was quickly erased as she was caught stealing.
With two outs in the top of the first,
Kay Bettendorf and
Kylie Powers both singled to put runners on first and second.
Morgan Heckman struck out looking to end the Hawks threat in the top of the first.
The Lions took advantage of a Hawks error in the bottom of the first to grab a 1-0 lead.
The leadoff hitter for the Lions reached on a single and advanced to second on a sac bunt.
A Hawks throwing error allowed the Lions to score the first run of the game.
Alex DeVaney worked around the error and limited the damage to just one run.
The Hawks threatened again in the top of the second after a one-out double by
Megan Sharpshair.
Sharpshair advanced to third on a wild pitch with
Katelyn Gratza at-bat.
Gratza grounded out to the pitcher and Sharpshair was picked off a third by the catcher as QU was unable to tie the game after the top of the second.
The Lions were retired in order in the bottom of the frame.
Courtney Kernich doubled to center with one out and
Kay Bettendorf walked with two outs to put runners on first and second for the Hawks.
Kylie Powers popped out in foul territory to strand a pair of runners for QU in the top of the third.
Three hits and an error by QU allowed for a pair of runs to score for the Lions in the bottom of the third. Lindenwood led 3-0 after three complete innings.
Both teams went quietly until the Hawks half of the sixth.
Jessica Poore led off with a single and
Kylie Powers followed with a one-out single to put runners on first and second.
Despite the opportunity,
Morgan Heckman and
Remi Ferguson were both retired and the Hawks stranded a pair of runners.
Lindenwood struck for two more runs in the bottom of the frame to push their lead to 5-0.
Three up and three down in the top of the seventh gave Lindenwood a 5-0 win.
Game 2
The Hawks scored first in the second half of the doubleheader as they looked to rebound from the loss earlier in the day.
In the top of the second, the Hawks loaded the bases with one out.
Courtney Kernich singled through the left side to score the first run of the game. On the play,
Megan Sharpshair was thrown out at the plate as she attempted to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
A line out ended the frame and the Hawks led 1-0.
Lindenwood took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. A walk, a triple, and a single gave the Lions a 2-1 lead.
Quincy tied the game in the top of the fourth. With two outs and the bases loaded,
Kay Bettendorf singled to tie the game.
Lindenwood responded in the bottom of the fourth. Five hits led to three runs as the Lions took a 5-2 lead.
The Hawks were able to push a run across in the top of the seventh but QU fell to Lindenwood 5-3.
Stat Leaders
Game 1
Kylie Powers: 2-3
Game 2
Morgan Heckman: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 Runs
Next up for QU
The Hawks travel to Evansville, Indiana to take on Cedarville University and Northwood University on Friday (Feb. 22).
QU's Record
0-2
