ST. LOUIS, MO. – The Quincy University softball team opened up conference play with a doubleheader at Maryville University on Saturday afternoon (March 13). The Hawks split Saturday's action with a 5-1 defeat in game one and a 2-1 win in a pitcher's duel. 

Game 1
The Hawks jumped out in front in the top of the first inning. Courtney Kernich smoked a triple to right center, and Jayle Jennings drove her in with an RBI single to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Maryville responded with a two-out RBI single to right field which drove in a run and tied the score 1-1. Hawks starting pitcher Mac Kenzie Collier stranded two runners and got out of the jam. Kari Sarhage led off the second with a single, but then the Saints' starter retired six in a row to keep the Hawks quiet. Collier retired five in a row until the Saints got a one-out bunt single in the bottom of the third. The right-hander stranded her and the game remained tied after three innings. 
 

Both teams were quiet in the fourth, but Maryville took the lead in the fifth with a two-out triple to right center field. Maryville added to its lead in the sixth after starting the inning with two singles. A runner came around to score on a fielder's choice to make the score 3-1. Two more hits scored two more runs and the Saints led 5-1 after six innings of play. The Hawks went down in order in the seventh and dropped the first game of the day. 

Game 2
Runs were far and few between in the second game of the day. Starting pitcher, Bailee Highbarger, pitched a complete game gem and limited the Saints to just one run. Highbarger scattered eight hits, struck out three, and gave out no free passes. Quincy was the first to break through in the top of the third inning. Casey Brennan led things off with a bunt single and advanced to second on an error. After Brennan was moved to third on an out at first, Courtney Kernich reached first base to put runners on first and third. The Hawks executed a double steal to score the first run and take a 1-0 lead. 

QU added a crucial run in the top of the fourth after an RBI single from Casey Brennan. This second run proved to be the difference despite an RBI triple by Maryville in the bottom of the fifth. Quincy held a 2-1 lead as the Hawks turned an inning-ending double play in the sixth, and Highbarger tossed a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh to secure the win. 

Game 1 Stat Leaders
Jayle Jennings – 1-3, RBI
Courtney Kernich – 1-3, 3B, RS

Game 2 Stat Leaders
Bailee Highbarger – 7 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 3 K, 0 BB
Chelsea Hooker – 2-3, 2B