BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The Quincy University softball team wrapped up play at the Alvy Early Classic in Bentonville, Arkansas on Sunday (Feb. 16) afternoon. The Hawks picked up their first win of the season over Missouri Western State by a score of 5-4 before falling to Missouri Southern State 13-1 later in the day.

Quincy 5, Missouri Western 4
The Hawks were the first to strike in the opening inning of game one. 

Ashley Gerber led off the game with an infield single and later advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt from Chelsea Hooker. Megan Sharpshair plated Gerber with an RBI groundout to put QU up 1-0.

That score stood until the third inning, as Jayle Jennings kept the Griffons offense at bay with three strikeouts in the first two innings.

MWSU took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the third, scoring two runs after a walk and two doubles. The Griffons led 2-1, but that lead was short-lived.

Freshman Madeline Ruzicka launched a solo home run over the center field fence in the top of the fourth inning to tie the score.

Jennings struck out two and forced a groundout in the bottom of the frame to bring the Hawks back to the plate.

QU took back the lead in the top of the fifth. Roni Wingerter led off with a walk and later came around to score on an Ashley Gerber double to center field.

Taylor Downen then stepped up to the plate and ripped a single to left field to score Gerber, giving the Hawks a 4-2 lead.

After a scoreless sixth inning, the seventh proved to be an eventful one.

Kari Sarhage came up clutch for QU in the top of the frame. The junior from Collinsville, Illinois blasted a solo shot to lead off the inning, putting the Hawks up 5-2.

After two singles and a Quincy error in the bottom of the seventh, the Griffons cut the QU lead to one, 5-4.

With two outs and two runners on, Jennings answered the call by forcing a groundout to end the game and give the Hawks their first win of the season.

Missouri Southern 13, Quincy 1
The Hawks and Lions remained scoreless through an inning and a half in the second game of the day.

Once again, QU scored first. Madeline Ruzicka led off the bottom of the second with a single and later stole second. Kari Sarhage then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move her over to third.

Aubrie Dodd followed with an RBI single to center field, scoring Ruzicka and making the score 1-0.

The Lions got on the board in the top of the third, scoring two runs off one hit and one QU error.

MSSU opened up their lead in the fourth inning. After the first batter was retired, the Lions responded by scoring five runs on three hits to take a 7-1 lead.

The Hawks could not get anything going in the bottom of the frame as the game moved to the fifth inning.

The Lions took advantage of three QU errors in the top of the fifth inning, scoring six runs to take a commanding 13-1 lead.

QU placed a runner on base in the bottom half of the inning but were unable to do any damage, as that score stood as the final.

Game 1 Stat Leaders
Ashley Gerber - 2-4, 2B, RBI, 2R
Madeline Ruzicka - 1-3, HR, RBI, R

Jayle Jennings - 7 IP, 4R, 9H, 6K

Game 2 Stat Leaders
Aubrie Dodd - 1-1, RBI

Mac Kenzie Collier - 3.2 IP, 5H, 1ER, K

Up Next
The Hawks will head to Evansville, Indiana on Friday (Feb. 21) for the Midwest Region Crossover. QU will face Northwood at 1:30 p.m. and West Liberty at 3:30 p.m.