TOPEKA, Kan. – Back in action at the Washburn Invitational on Sunday after a 10-day layoff, the Minot State softball team battled but came up short in both contests, falling 7-2 to Northwest Missouri State, then coming up just short against the host Ichabods, losing 4-3 to close out the opening day of action in the tournament.
Anna LaCount led the way in the opener with a solo home run for the Beavers (7-4 overall), her first of the season, while Taylor Smith tripled home a run and Abbey Kelley had an RBI single in the nightcap for Minot State.
The Beavers are back in action Monday for two more games at the Washburn Invitational, playing Newman (Kan.) at 11:30 a.m., then Emporia State (Kan.) at 5:30 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State 7, Minot State 2
TOPEKA, Kan. -- The Minot State Beavers fell to the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats 7-2 despite the efforts of junior Anna LaCount, who went 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
Junior Kierra Fournier (1-2) got the ball to start for Minot State and took the loss. Senior Jasmine Blizzard was a bright spot for the Beavers, coming out of the bullpen and throwing 5.1 innings, giving up one run on six hits, with no walks and one strikeout.
At the plate, the Beavers were paced by LaCount, who went 1-for-3 on the day with a home run, a walk and an RBI. Senior Hannah Murray put together a noteworthy day at the dish as well, going 1-for-2 with an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 3-0, the Beavers first put runs on the board in the first inning. LaCount put Minot State on the board with a two-out solo home run off junior Kylee Rockhold.
The Bearcats expanded their lead to 6-1 before the Beavers offense got back to work, cutting into that lead in the fourth. Junior Paige Kellogg came across to score the lone run of the inning for Minot State, which brought the score to 6-2 in favor of the Bearcats. The Beavers were unable to get any closer, as Northwest Missouri State added one run to their tally on the way to a 7-2 final.
GAME NOTES
» Minot State pitchers faced 37 Northwest Missouri State hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out one.
» The Beavers drew four walks from Northwest Missouri State pitching.
» LaCount led the Beavers at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
» Northwest Missouri State was led offensively by junior Omara Love, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
» Freshman Erika Gore led the Bearcats pitching staff, throwing three scoreless innings.
Washburn 4, Minot State 3
TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn's two-run fourth proved to be the difference in the ballgame, as the Minot State Beavers lost a heartbreaker to the Ichabods by the score of 4-3 on Sunday.
Senior Reegan Floyd (4-1) got the ball to start for Minot State and took the loss. Junior Calley Olson was a bright spot for the Beavers, coming out of the bullpen and throwing one scoreless inning, allowing one hit, with no walks and one strikeout.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beavers were trailing 2-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. Taylor Smith had an RBI triple, Abbey Kelley added and RBI single, and Abby Lohse scored on a double steal attempt to put Minot State on top, 3-2.
The Beavers were unable to hold the lead, as Washburn scored two times over the remaining three innings to grab the 4-3 win.
GAME NOTES
» Minot State's highest-scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Minot State went 2-for-6 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers limited Washburn to just 1-for-12 (.083) with runners in scoring position.
» Minot State pitchers faced 28 Washburn hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and six fly balls while striking out four.
» Junior Taylor Smith led the Beavers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple and an RBI.
» Washburn was led offensively by junior Erin Boles, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.
» Junior Sadie Walker led the Ichabods pitching staff, throwing seven innings of three-run ball.
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