QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University softball welcomed Southwest Baptist University for a double header on Saturday afternoon (May, 1), and swept the day behind a pair of impressive 7-0 performances. Mac Kenzie Collier threw a perfect game in game one, and Bailee Highbarger pitched a shutout in game two.
Game 1
The Hawks started things off in the bottom of the first when Taylor Downen reached second base on a double to left. Bailey Mitchell brought in the first run with a double to right center. After two outs were recorded, Jayle Jennings hit a single to right field to put runners on the corners. Courtney Kernich then hit a bunt single to make it 2-0.
Quincy scored one more time in the bottom of the fourth when Ashley Poore and Ashley Gerber both singled to put runners at first and second. Downen then hit a RBI single to the left side bringing the third run home for the Hawks, 3-0.
Once again, the Hawks put up a set of good at bats as Kari Sarhage walked, Courtney Kernich singled to left center, and they both scored when Poore hit a double down the right field line to extend the lead to 5-0. In the bottom of the sixth, after Downen reached on a walk, Casey Brennan hit a shallow fly ball to right field which was dropped by the Bearcats second baseman allowing both MJ Maguire (pinch ran for Downen) to move to third and Brennan made it to second. Jennings followed suit with a two-RBI single to center field giving the Hawks a 7-0 lead.
Mac Kenzie Collier had a career performance in the circle as she allowed no runs, no hits, and no free passes for a perfect complete game. Collier faced 21 batters retiring four by strikeout.
Game 2
The Hawks picked up where they left off and scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Kernich led off with a walk, and this was followed by a rocket through the third base side off the bat of Taylor Downen to put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Casey Bennan hit a two-RBI single to left field to make it 2-0.
In the bottom of the fifth Quincy managed to score with two outs again. Mitchell walked, Jennings singled to left field, and Gerber hit a RBI single up the middle.This string of hits were followed by a RBI single from Brennan to extend QU's lead to 4-0.
Katelyn Gratza led off the bottom of the sixth with a double to right-center field, and Ashley Poore hit a single to right field as she entered the game as a pinch hitter. With no outs, Kernich proceeded to bring across another run on a RBI infield hit to make it 5-0. The Hawks scored two more runs and led 7-0 after six innings.
Bailee Highbarger threw a complete game shutout while only allowing five hits. Highbarger recorded all 21 outs of the game striking out three Bearcats.
Game 1 Stat Leaders
Jayle Jennings – 3-4, 2 RBI
Ashley Poore - 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Bailey Mitchell - 2-4, 2B, RBI
Courtney Kernich - 2-4, RBI
Mac Kenzie Collier - 7.0 IP, 4 K, 72 pitches (Perfect Game).
Game 2 Stat Leaders
Bailee Highbarger - 7.0 IP, 0 Runs, 3 K
Ashley Gerber - 2-4, 3 RBI
Katelyn Gratza - 2-3, 2 2B
Casey Brennan - 2-3, RBI
Taylor Downen - 2-4, 2B, RBI
Next Up
The Hawks will be welcoming Drury University for a doubleheader at the Mart Heinen Softball Complex in Quincy, IL on Sunday afternoon (May, 2) for senior day.
