OWENSBORO, Ky. – The Quincy University softball team ended their weekend road trip at Kentucky Wesleyan with a 4-3 win on Sunday (Feb. 23). The Hawks got all four runs in the first inning and held off the Panthers late in the game to secure the victory.
How It Happened
The first four Hawk batters reached base safely in Sunday's contest.
Courtney Kernich led things off with a bunt single.
Ashley Gerber followed with a base hit, and she was able to reach third base after an error on the KWC left fielder. Kernich came around to score the first run to give QU a 1-0 lead.
Taylor Downen singled up the middle in the next at-bat to bring in Gerber. Quincy went ahead 2-0.
Kari Sarhage smacked a double to right center to put runners on second and third base. After a groundout,
Audrey Hermann doubled to right and brought home two more runs for the Hawks. Quincy held a 4-0 lead after the first inning.
Jayle Jennings started in the circle for QU in Sunday's series finale. Jennings got help from her defense in the bottom of the first when a base hit up the middle looked to bring in Kentucky Wesleyan's first run.
Center fielder
Casey Brennan scooped the ball from the outfield and gunned down a runner trying to score from second base. The score remained 4-0 QU.
After recording five hits in the first inning, the Hawks were limited to just four hits the rest of the way. Quincy was able to overcome the slowed offensive production behind a strong performance by Jennings.
The freshman right hander limited the Panthers to just five hits through the first five innings.
Kentucky Wesleyan was able to get on the board in the sixth inning when two singles brought in two runs to make it a 4-2 ball game. Jennings was able to strand two runners after getting the last two outs in the inning.
Quincy went down quietly in the top of the seventh and the Panthers came to the plate for their last chance.
A fielding error and a walk put the first two runners on with no outs for KWC. A bunt single made the situation even more tense as the bases were loaded with no outs.
The Panthers got a run in on a sacrifice fly to make it a one score game 4-3.
Jayle Jennings showed poise in a tough spot as she was able to get Kentucky Wesleyan to ground into a double play to end the game. Quincy held on for the 4-3 win.
Taylor Downen and
Ashley Gerber each had two hits on the day, and
Audrey Hermann had a double with two RBIs.
Next Game
The softball team will travel to the Louisville Slugger Dome in Peoria, Illinois for a doubleheader with Bemidji State on February, 28th. First pitch in game one is set for noon.
