SFCC softball Region 16 tournament recap

April 27, Crowder College, Region 16 Tournament in Joplin

The sixth-seeded Lady Roadrunners softball team opened play in the Region 16 tournament against the Crowder College Lady Riders from Neosho. Crowder won the game 9-1 in six innings.

SFCC scored first with a single run in the top of the second inning. Crowder tied the game with a run in the bottom of the third and added three runs in the fourth, three in the fifth and two in the sixth to invoke the run rule.

Freshman middle infielder Kylie Johnson had one of two hits for SFCC, along with a run scored. Freshman catcher/third baseman Gabi McGinty had a hit and an RBI. Freshman pitcher/first baseman Madison Love went the distance in the circle for SFCC and took the loss. She gave up nine runs, seven earned runs and struck out three.

"We told our freshman class that the regional setting would be a whole different environment," said Head Coach Lyndsey Talbot. "Crowder had a big crowd at the game since it is located just 30 minutes away from Joplin. We were right there for the first three innings. In the fourth, Crowder was able to put together some productive at-bats. Overall, the girls played fairly well in that game."

April 28, St. Charles Community College, Region 16 Tournament in Joplin

SFCC began its journey through the elimination bracket with an 8-4 win over the St. Charles Community College Cougars.

The Cougars scored first with a run in the top of the first inning. SFCC responded with three runs in the bottom of that inning and tacked on a run in the second to take a 4-1 lead. St. Charles tied the game with three runs in the top of the fourth inning. SFCC answered by scoring a run in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in in the sixth to finish the scoring.

Sophomore middle infielder Mikayla Gustin led the SFCC offense with four hits, two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored. Sophomore outfielder/pitcher MacKenze Gudde had three hits, including a home run, three runs scored and an RBI. Love contributed a pair of hits, a run scored and an RBI. McGinty hit a home run. Freshman infielder Abby Rector had two hits.

Love once again went the distance in the circle for SFCC. She gave up four runs on six hits and struck out four to pick up the victory.

April 28, Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods, Region 16 Tournament in Joplin

SFCC continued through the elimination bracket taking on Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods. SFCC won 6-4.

SFCC got its offense started with five runs in the top of the first inning and tacked on one in the fifth. The Monarchs responded with a run in the bottom of the sixth and three in the seventh inning. SFCC was able to put a stop to the late rally and secure the victory.

Gudde had a pair of hits, including another home run. She scored twice and drove in one run. McGinty had two hits, including another home run. She drove in three runs and scored one. Freshman middle infielder Kylie Johnson scored a run and drove in a run. 

Love picked up the victory in the circle for SFCC. She gave up four runs and struck out three.

"We knew coming into the tournament that we were going to ride Madison's arm," said Talbot. "She pitched all 21 innings for us on Saturday. She did very well battling through an injury."

April 28, Jefferson College, Region 16 Tournament at Joplin Missouri

SFCC (18-33) continued in the elimination bracket with a game against the Jefferson College Lady Vikings from Hillsboro. SFCC dropped a tough 4-3 decision to end the season.

Jefferson scored first with a single run in the bottom of the third inning. SFCC responded with a single run in the top of the fifth inning and added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Jefferson scored three runs in the seventh inning to emerge with a victory with a walk-off home run.

"We were ahead 3-1 with one out in the bottom of the seventh-inning when the home run was hit," said Talbot. "It was a heartbreaking ending to a very exciting game."

Freshman outfielder Jacki Watson had a pair of hits and a run batted in for SFCC. Love had two hits and a run batted in. Johnson, McGinty and freshman utility player Emily Wilson each had two hits. Wilson scored two runs. Freshman infielder Brytni Hummel scored a run, and Gustin drove in a run.

Love took the loss in the circle for SFCC. She gave up four runs, three earned runs and struck out five.

Coach Talbot was proud of her team's performance in the tournament and the strides the program made in its second season.

"This year we were competitive in every game," said Talbot. "The girls were able to put it together at the end of the season when we wanted to be playing our best softball. I can't say enough about all four of the sophomores. Everyone knows what MacKenze has meant to the program. Mikayla Gustin was on fire this weekend; she was the leader for our infield. Emily Guyton and Makayla Sivils didn't get to see the field that often, but they are without a doubt our leaders in the dugout. All four of them have put so much time into the program. They're going to be missed."

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics