March 13, Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods at Kansas City

The Lady Roadrunners softball team travelled to Kansas City for an important Region 16 doubleheader against the Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods Monarchs. Maple Woods swept both games 12-4 and 11-4.

In game one, Maple Woods scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning, added one run in the second and five more in the third to take an 8-0 lead at the end of three innings. SFCC got its offense started with a single run in the top of the fourth. The Monarchs responded with a run in the bottom of the inning. The Lady Roadrunners added a single run in the top of the fifth and two more in the top of the sixth. The Monarchs added three runs in the bottom of the sixth to invoke the run rule.

Freshman outfielder Jacki Watson recorded three hits, an RBI and a pair of doubles. Freshman catcher/infielder Lauren Watkins had two hits. Freshman infielder Abby Rector had two hits, including a home run, two runs scored, and an RBI. Freshman pitcher/first baseman Madison Lovehit a home run.

Love got the start in the circle for SFCC and took the loss allowing 11 hits, eight runs, only five of those runs were earned. She struck out one in three innings pitched.

In game two, Maple Woods scored first with a single run in the bottom of the first inning. The Monarchs added four runs in the second inning and four more in the third inning. SFCC got its offense going with four runs in the top of the fourth. The Monarchs added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, and the game ended because of the run rule.

Sophomore infielder Mikayla Gustin led the SFCC offense. She launched a homerun and drove in three runs to go along with a run scored. Love, freshman catcher/infielder Gabi McGinty, freshman infielder Kylie Johnson and Watson recorded one hit each.

Freshman pitcher Macy Buzzanga got the start in the circle for SFCC. She pitched 2.1 innings, allowing nine runs and seven earned runs on nine hits. She struck out two.

"We have freshman who are starting to learn that the demands of college softball are very different than high school softball," said Head Coach Lyndsey Talbot. "It was definitely a learning experience for them. We didn't hit or play defense like we should have."

 March 14, North Iowa Area Community College at Mandy Thomas Field in Centennial Park

The Lady Roadrunners played host to the North Iowa Area Community College Trojans from Mason City and split the doubleheader, losing game one 11-9 and winning game two 9-8

In game one, NIACC scored two runs in the top of the first inning and added one run in the top the second inning. SFCC responded with seven runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 7-3 lead. North Iowa tied the game with four runs in the top of the third inning. SFCC took the lead again with a single run in the bottom of the third. NIACC scored three runs in the top of the fifth to take the lead once again. SFCC added one more run in the bottom of the fifth. NIACC scored the final run in the top of the sixth.

McGinty had two hits, including a home run, two RBIs, and a run scored. Gustin contributed two hits and an RBI. Freshman catcher/infielder Tessia Balke added a hit, two RBIs and a run scored. Watson stole two bases.

Buzzanga got the start in the circle for SFCC. She pitched two innings, allowing seven runs. Sophomore outfielder/pitcher MacKenze Gudde pitched the final five innings, allowing four runs, two earned runs and striking out five. She took the loss in relief.

In game two, NIACC scored one run in the top of the first inning, one in the third and five in the fourth to take a 7-0 lead. SFCC responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning and added five more in the bottom of the sixth to take a 9-7 lead. NIACC attempted a comeback with one run in the top of the seventh; however, SFCC slammed the door for the win.

Gustin recorded three hits for the Lady Roadrunners. Gudde had two hits, including a double. She drove in three runs and scored twice. Love and McGinty drove in two runs apiece. Watson scored twice.

Love went the distance in the circle for SFCC. She allowed eight runs, six earned and struck out six to pick up the victory.

"I was proud that our team was able to battle back in game two and earn the split," said Talbot.

March 17, Three Rivers Community College at Poplar Bluff

The Lady Roadrunners traveled to Poplar Bluff for an important Region 16 doubleheader. Three Rivers swept both games 3-0 and 12-3 in five innings.

In game one, the Lady Raiders got on the scoreboard with a run in the bottom of the first. They tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the second.

The Lady Roadrunners offense had four hits in the contest. Gudde, Love, Rector, and Gustin registered one hit each. Gudde stole two bases. Love went the distance in the circle for the Lady Roadrunners allowing three runs, only one earned run, and striking out 10.

In game two, TRCC scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning and three more in the bottom of the second. SFCC scored a single run in the top of the third inning and added two more in the top of the fourth. TRCC responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning.

Gustin led the Lady Roadrunners offensively with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored. Rector had a pair of hits along with freshman utility player Emily Wilson. McGinty drove in a run. Gudde stole two bases, and Rector stole one.

Buzzanga got the start in the circle for SFCC. She pitched one inning, allowed four runs and took the loss for SFCC.

March 18, Mineral Area College at Farmington

The Lady Roadrunners (10-15, 2-2 in Region 16) traveled to Farmington to take on the Mineral Area College Lady Cardinals in a doubleheader. SFCC split the contests, winning game one 10-4 and losing game two 10-2 in five innings.

In game one, SFCC scored first with two runs in the top of the first inning, added four in the top of the second and one in the third inning. MAC got its offense going with a single run in the bottom of the third inning and added three in the bottom the sixth inning. SFCC added three in the top of the seventh to finish the scoring.

The SFCC offense had a good day at the plate in game one, recording 17 hits. Rector had four hits, two RBIs and two runs scored. Gudde contributed three hits, one of which was a home run, and two runs scored. McGinty had three hits, including a pair of home runs, and drove in four runs. Wilson, Gustin and Watkins recorded two hits each. Watson drove in a pair of runs.

Love was the starting pitcher. She picked up the victory, while striking out six and allowing one earned run.

In game two, SFCC scored with a single run in the top of the first inning. MAC took control of the game with five runs in the bottom of the third. SFCC answered with one run in the top of the fourth inning. Mineral Area added five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Gudde contributed two hits, one of which was her second homerun of the day. She also scored twice and drove in a run. Love recorded two hits and an RBI.

Buzzanga got the start in the circle for SFCC. She was tagged with the loss.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics