Region 16 softball recaps April 28 and May 2

April 28, Jefferson College Lady Vikings at Battle High School in Columbia

The Lady Roadrunners played their first Region 16 tournament game against Jefferson College. The games were pushed back because of rain. SFCC scored first with a run in the top of the first inning. 

The Lady Vikings answered with three runs in the bottom of the first inning and tacked on a run in the second, two in the third, two in the fourth, and three in the fifth. Jefferson won the game 11-1 in five innings because of the run rule. 

Sophomore outfielder Kalee Shumaker had two hits, including a triple for the Lady Roadrunners. She scored a run and stole a base. Freshman pitcher Emily Ross and freshman outfielder Shelby Sprinkle had the other two hits. Freshman infielder Sydnee Cotter had an RBI. 

Ross got the start in the circle for SFCC. She struck out three and took loss. 

May 2, St. Charles Community College Battle at High School in Columbia

St. Charles scored one run in the first two innings. SFCC tied the game in the bottom of the third. St. Charles took the lead back with a run in the top of the fourth. SFCC took the lead for the win with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Lady Roadrunners added a run in the bottom of the fifth and hung on to win 5-3 to notch the program's inaugural win in postseason play. 

Shumaker led SFCC with four hits, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Ross had two hits, a run scored and an RBI. Freshman pitcher/outfielder MacKenze Gudde contributed a double and two RBIs. Freshman utility player Mikayla Gustin had a hit and a run scored. Freshman pitcher/utility player Madison Harris recorded a double and two RBIs. Cotter contributed a run scored and a sacrifice. 

Ross picked up the victory for SFCC in the circle. She tossed a complete game, allowing three runs and striking out five. 

The victory set up a matchup later that day with the Crowder College Lady Riders. 

May 2, Crowder College at Battle High School in Columbia Crowder scored four runs in the top of the first inning and six runs in the second. Crowder added four runs in the third and four in the fourth. SFCC saw their inaugural season end with an 18-0 loss. 

Crowder held SFCC to three hits. Cotter, sophomore catcher/infielder Sarah McAninch and Gustin recorded a hit each. 

Ross got the start in the circle. She pitched 2 2/3 innings, gave up four hits and took the loss. 

Coach Talbot was pleased with what she saw from her team in its first Region 16 tournament and season. 

"The win against St. Charles was huge," said Head Coach Lyndsey Talbot. "Our tournament losses were to the number one and two seeds. We played the six seed and came away with a win. The girls gave up two runs early in that game but kept fighting; it was awesome. After the game, two coaches came up to me and complimented the progress they saw since the beginning of the season. That was a big compliment. The win was huge, and the girls were pumped up.

 "Overall, I think our first season was a success. Having a first year program and bringing in a group of girls who were not familiar with each other was a challenge. They never gave up, even when we went through the part of the season when we lost many games in a row. They were able to break that losing streak and never looked back." 

Gudde was named Second-Team All-Region 16 in the outfield. She is the first SFCC softball player to earn postseason honors. 

"MacKenze was a stable hitter in the lineup," said Talbot. "She's also been in the circle and in the outfield. She may not have had the best record in the circle, but she pitched some great games. I'm excited to have MacKenze another year and to see how she develops even more at the plate." 

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics