PEORIA, Ill. - The Quincy University softball team met Bemidji State University in Peoria, Illinois for a neutral-site doubleheader at the Louisville Slugger Dome on Friday (Feb. 28). The Hawks came up just short in game one, falling 3-2, and the Beavers scored seven unanswered runs in game two to win 7-1.

Game 1
The Beavers got on the board first in the bottom half of the opening frame. BSU plated two runs on two hits and one QU error to take a 2-0 lead.
 
Jayle Jennings settled in after that, only allowing four hits the rest of the game. The only other blemish came in bottom of the fifth when the Beavers extended their lead to three with a solo home run.
 
The Hawks were only able to muster four hits in the first six innings as they came to the plate in the seventh down 3-0.
 
Down to their last three outs, the Hawks did not go quietly.
 
Aubrie Dodd and Jayle Jennings started the inning with back-to-back singles. Madeline Ruzicka then reached on a fielder's choice to put runners on first and third.
 
Courtney Kernich stepped into the box with two outs and delivered a clutch single through the right side. The right fielder mishandled the hard-hit ball, allowing both Dodd and Ruzicka to score on the play.
 
Unfortunately for QU, Kernich was left stranded on third as the Beavers recorded the final out to secure the 3-2 victory.
 
Game 2
Mac Kenzie Collier took the mound for the Hawks in game two and sat the Beavers down in order in the top of the first.
 
Chelsea Hooker came up to bat with two outs in the bottom of the frame and got QU on the board. The freshman from Valmeyer, Illinois launched the first home run of her career to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
 
Collier struck out two in the second inning to keep the Beavers at bay, but BSU answered in the third.
 
Bemidji State scored two runs on two hits and just as many walks to go ahead 2-1 and never looked back.
 
Quincy was able to record just one hit in the final six innings, falling to the Beavers by a final score of 7-1.

Game 1 Stat Leaders
Aubrie Dodd- 1-3, R
Courtney Kernich- 1-4, RBI

Jayle Jennings- 6 IP, 6H, 3R, 3K

Game 2 Stat Leaders
Chelsea Hooker- 1-2, HR, R, RBI

Mac Kenzie Collier- 5 IP, 6H, 3R, 9K

Up Next
The Hawks will play their next eight games in the Sunshine State. QU will start the trip by battling Cedarville and Kentucky Wesleyan next Friday (Mar. 6).