Sioux Center, Iowa - The Quincy University softball team traveled up to Sioux Center for the Mustang Invitational on Sunday evening (Feb. 16). The Hawks faced the hosts of the tournament--Southwest Minnesota State University--and dropped two close games to the Mustangs--2-1 and 2-0.
Game One
Kaelyn Conger got started in the circle for the Hawks in game one, and with help from her infield, sent the first three Mustangs back to the dugout. The Hawks got their bats around in the bottom of the inning, but a pop fly to short left
Jessie Martin and
Madison Peck stranded on the bases.
The Mustangs offense made it around the bases in the third after two walks loaded up first and third base and a single up the middle gave way to their first run. Quincy responded with
Mykah Hurley making it to third base on
Kinsey Biggerstaff's single to right field. Two ground outs to the corners left Hurley and Biggerstaff stranded in scoring position.
Conger was retired by
Emma Stieferman after one strikeout and four hits halfway through the fourth inning. The Mustangs found their second run of the night on three singles and ground out play at second. Quincy's long sixth inning at bat gave the Hawks an opportunity to gain the lead.
Kenzie Moss and
Allison Kaiser each singled up the middle, Kaiser's as a bunt, to get on base.
Ryleigh Jones sent the ball into center field to get Moss back home. Hurley got on base toward the end of the inning, but the Mustangs got out of the jam with three Hawks left on.
Southwest Minnesota State had a quick defensive inning in the seventh to round game one of the series out with a 2-1 win over the Hawks.
Game Two
The Mustangs were quick to keep the Hawks quiet, keeping the Hawks to just four batters an inning through the first five innings. The Mustangs got around to third base on an interference call and throwing error, setting themselves up nicely for a fly out RBI in the next at bat.
Quincy made light of a two out rally in the sixth inning with singles from Biggerstaff and Moss that looked promising, but a ground out ended the inning. The Mustangs scored again at the bottom of the sixth inning after a single up the middle returned their lead-off triple. Quincy went out quick in the seventh to end the game 2-0.
Kaidence Dumas got the start for game two of the series, and went the whole game, producing two strikeouts on 73 pitches.
The Hawks have a quick turnaround and will face Winona State on Monday afternoon to complete their portion of the Mustang Invitational.
