QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University softball team got a impressive performance from starting pitcher Mac Kenzie Collier in a 1-0 game two win over UMSL in Monday's doubleheader. The right-hander from Custer Park, Illinois struck out a career-high twelve batters and allowed just two hits in a 1-0 victory after the Hawks fell 6-2 in game one. 

Game 1

The Hawks were overpowered by the Tritons in Monday's opener as UMSL hit four home runs in the contest. Quincy scored the first run of the game after Bailey Mitchell hit a double to right center which made it 1-0. The Tritons scored six runs total in the game, scoring their last two in the top of the sixth to gain a 6-1 lead. The Hawks scored one more time in the bottom of the seventh in their at bat. 

After a fly out, Courtney Kernich walked, and that was followed by an infield hit to shortstop from Mitchell to put runners on first and second. Ashley Gerber followed through with a single to left field to load the bases. With two outs, Taylor Downen brought in the last RBI for the Hawks when she hit a single to center field to bring in Kernich and make it 6-2. The next batter struck out and ended the last opportunity for Quincy. 

Game 2

Mac Kenzie Collier took over in the circle and dominated the Tritons offense in a close game two. The Hawks missed a few opportunities to score in the first two innings of the game, but the game remained scoreless. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Quincy tried once again after a one-out hit from Taylor Downen was followed by another hit from Chelsea Hooker to put a runner in scoring position. Quincy lost the chance as the next two batters flew out and grounded out. 

Collier allowed the first UMSL hit in the top of the fifth, but then struck out the next three batters to stop UMSL. In the sixth, Collier did it again and struck out two more to reach her career-high of 12 strikeouts. 

In the bottom of the seventh, Quincy put things together when Casey Brennan hit a lead off triple off the right field fence with no outs. After a strikeout, Madeline Ruzicka came in as a pinch hitter and hit a fly ball to right field. The catch was made, but the right fielder sailed the throw to home plate which brought in the winning run for the Hawks. 

Game 1 Stats
Bailey Mitchell - 3-4, 2B
Taylor Downen - 2-4, RBI

Game 2 Stats
Ashley Gerber - 2-for-3
Taylor Downen - 2-for-3
Mac Kenzie Collier - 7 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 12 K, 1 BB

Next Game
The Hawks will head up the road to Canton on Wednesday (March 24) to face Culver Stockton College in a doubleheader starting at 2:00 P.M.