BRANSON, Mo. – Quincy University softball opened the Branson DII Battle with a split on the first day of competition, defeating Nebraska Kearney 5-1 before falling to Arkansas Tech 7-4.
Game 1: Quincy 5, Nebraska Kearney 1
Nebraska Kearney struck first in the opening inning when Daniella Morillas singled home Mary Chvatal for an early 1-0 lead.
Quincy answered in the third inning after being held scoreless through two frames.
Kaidence Dumas delivered a two-RBI double, scoring
Makala Koozer and
Andee Brown to give the Hawks a 2-1 advantage.
The Hawks added insurance in the fifth inning when Koozer reached on a fielding error and later scored on an RBI double from
Kinsey Biggerstaff to make it 3-1.
Quincy broke the game open in the sixth. Koozer drove in a run on a fielder's choice before Biggerstaff added a sacrifice fly, her second RBI of the game, extending the lead to 5-1.
Hailey Platt was outstanding in her first career start, settling in after the first inning to toss a complete game victory. She allowed just one run on five hits, walked three, and struck out three while retiring the Lopers scoreless over the final six innings.
Game 2: Arkansas Tech 7, Quincy 4
The Hawks struck early again in game two, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Hailey Irby doubled to center field to drive in Biggerstaff and Koozer.
Arkansas Tech responded in the second and third innings, using a bases-loaded walk and a two-run single to take a 3-2 lead.
Quincy reclaimed the advantage in the fourth inning of the back-and-forth contest.
Casey Fronheiser tripled to bring home a run, and Koozer followed with an RBI single to give the Hawks a 4-3 lead.
Arkansas Tech seized control in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs on four hits, including three extra-base hits, to pull ahead 7-4. Quincy was unable to respond offensively in the final two innings.
Quincy continues play at the Branson DII Battle tomorrow morning, opening the day at 10:00 AM against Southern Nazarene before a 12:00 PM matchup with Missouri Western State.
