ColQUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University softball team split its home-opening doubleheader on Sunday at the Mart Heinen Softball Complex. The Hawks dropped game one to the Cougars, 3-1, before responding with an 8-0 run-rule victory in six innings in game two.
Game 1: Columbia 3, Quincy 1
Quincy's offense got off to a slow start in the opener, as the Hawks were held scoreless through the first two innings while the Cougars jumped ahead early. Taylor Wril provided the first big swing of the game in the opening frame, delivering a two-RBI double to right field to give the Cougars a quick 2-0 lead.
The Cougars added another run in the second inning when Liz Enlow came around to score on a wild pitch, stretching the advantage to 3-0.
Both pitching staffs then settled in during the middle innings, keeping the game locked down through the third and fourth frames.
The Hawks finally broke through in the fifth inning.
Catherine Nielsen led off the inning with a single before
Samantha Farrell entered as a pinch runner. A double to center field moved Farrell to third, and
Makala Koozer followed with an RBI single that brought Farrell home to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Quincy threatened but could not push across another run, as the Cougars' pitching staff held the Hawks scoreless over the final two innings to secure the 3-1 win in the opener.
Despite the loss,
Haley Martin delivered a strong performance in the circle for the Hawks. The right-hander tossed a complete game, working all seven innings while allowing just three runs on six hits. Martin walked one and struck out two while keeping the Cougars' offense in check after the early innings.
Game 2: Quincy 8, Columbia 0 (6 innings)
The Hawks came out with a much more aggressive approach in the nightcap, jumping on the board in the first inning.
Casey Fronheiser delivered a single to center field that drove in both
Kaidence Dumas and
Makala Koozer to give Quincy an early 2-0 lead.
Quincy added another run in the third inning when Dumas scored on a wild pitch, and the Hawks stretched the lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning as
Kinsey Biggerstaff crossed the plate on another wild pitch.
Meanwhile,
Hailey Platt controlled the game from the circle, keeping the Cougars' offense in check throughout the afternoon.
The Hawks broke the game open in the sixth inning with a four-run rally to trigger the run rule. Koozer started the scoring with an RBI single to left field.
Kenzie Moss followed with a two-RBI double that plated pinch runner
Samantha Farrell and
Andee Brown. Later in the inning, Dumas lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Koozer to score the final run, sealing the 8-0 run-rule victory.
Hailey Plat delivered a standout performance in the circle, tossing the first complete-game shutout of her career. Platt allowed just four hits while striking out three.
At the plate,
Kenzie Moss and
Samantha Farrell led the Hawks with two hits apiece. Moss and
Casey Fronheiser each drove in a team-high two runs.
The Hawks return to action at home on Friday, March 13, when Quincy opens conference play with a doubleheader against the University of Illinois Springfield. The doubleheader is scheduled for 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM at the Mart Heinen Softball Complex.
