BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The Quincy University softball team opened up their season Saturday (Feb. 15) in Bentonville, Arkansas. The Hawks face two teams who each put up more than 25 wins a season ago in Emporia State and Central Missouri. QU fell 3-0 to the Hornets in game one, and came up empty in game two to the Jennies, 13-0.

Emporia State 3, Quincy 0
Most of the offensive action came in the first three innings in the opening game for the Hawks softball team. Their opponent, Emporia State, scored in the first inning on an RBI single to center field. 

Quincy got two singles in the top of the second, but they were unable to capitalize as the score remained 1-0. 

In the bottom of the frame, Emporia State got another run after a double and single led off the inning. The Hornets got another run across on a fielder's choice to make it 2-0. 

After a quiet top of the third by the Hawks, two singles started things off for Emporia in the bottom half. A passed ball and a walk loaded the bases with one out, but the Hornets put a ball in play for another fielder's choice up the middle. ESU took a 3-0 lead. 

In the fourth, QU had runners on second and third with two outs, but could not push them across. 

Things remained quiet for both sides until the last inning. Quincy tried to make a late push with two outs. Madeline Ruzicka doubled to right center to put a runner on. 

In the next at-bat, Taylor Downen hit a sharp single to short, but Ruzicka got caught in-between second and third base and was tagged for the final out of the game. Quincy fell 3-0 despite out-hitting the Hornets 8-6 in the game. 

Central Missouri 13, Quincy 0
UCM got on the board early, tallying one run off one hit and two QU errors to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Taylor Downen ripped a double to lead off the bottom of the frame, but got caught at third trying to stretch it into a triple. The next two Quincy batters went down in order as the game moved to the second inning.

The Jennies extended their lead to 5-0 in the next inning after scoring four runs on four hits.

UCM opened up the game in the third when they put a five-spot up after three hits followed by a two-run home run to left field.

The Hawks went down 1-2-3 in both the second and third innings.

The Jennies put up three more insurance runs in the top of the fourth to go ahead 13-0.

QU's best chance to score came in the bottom of the fourth. Downen reached on a hit by pitch and Chelsea Hooker followed with a double, putting runners on second and third. Unfortunately for the Hawks, the next three batters were retired to thwart the threat.

UCM went on to win in five innings, 13-0.

Game 1 Stat Leaders
Jayle Jennings - 3-3; 4 IP, 7K, 1H
Taylor Downen- 2-4

Game 2 Stat Leaders
Taylor Downen - 1-1, 2B
Chelsea Hooker - 1-2, 2B

Up Next
The Hawks wrap up play at the Alvy Early Classic tomorrow afternoon (Feb. 16). QU takes on Missouri Western State at 2 p.m. and Missouri Southern State at 4 p.m.