April 6 - Missouri State University-West Plains at Sedalia

The SFCC softball team swept a pair of games from Missouri State University-West Plains, 6-0 and 13-2 in five innings because of the run rule. The games were played at Mandy Thomas Field inside Centennial Park.

In game one, SFCC had opportunities early in the game, but could not produce a key hit until the fifth inning.

"We had runners on first and second in the first inning and didn't score," said Lady Roadrunners Head Coach Michele Rupard. "We loaded the bases in the third inning and didn't score anyone. In the bottom of the fifth, we hit three home runs, two of which were back-to-back. It's kind of an interesting way to score your runs."

Sophomore second baseman Kelsey Webb hit two home runs and drove in a team-high three runs. Sophomore third baseman Kailei Allen hit a home run and sophomore outfielder Tomi Lightle hit a home run and drove in two runs. Sophomore pitcher/first baseman Alexis Hughes had two hits, including a double. Freshman third baseman/outfielder Zoey DeHaas recorded two hits.

Sophomore Kennidi Harris went the distance in the circle for SFCC and scattered four hits, struck out six and walked one to pick up the shutout victory.

"Kennidi fills up the strike zone and just keeps competing," said Rupard. "Kennidi pitched well for us today."

In game two, freshman first baseman Paige Clines had three hits, including a double and a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs. Freshman outfielder Samantha Queathem recorded three hits, including a grand slam, three runs scored and four RBIs. Sophomore utility player Kailee Liles had three hits, including a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. Webb contributed two hits, two RBIs and a run scored. DeHaas had two hits and scored two runs.

"We have hit pretty well all year," said Rupard. "It has been nice to play clean defense in the last couple of games. We made adjustments offensively in both games, which is what you have to do."

Freshman Charlee Reese went the distance in the circle for SFCC, allowed two runs (one earned run) on three hits and struck out five.

April 8 - Indian Hills Community College at Sedalia

SFCC (8-16) dropped a doubleheader to Indian Hills Community College by scores of 9-3 and 17-1 in five innings because of the run rule at Mandy Thomas Field inside Centennial Park. Indian Hills is receiving votes in the NJCAA Division I Softball Rankings.

In game one, freshman outfielder Jaelyn Winfrey had two solo home runs to lead the SFCC offense. Webb hit a solo home run. Hughes contributed a pair of hits.

Harris got the start in the circle for SFCC and pitched four innings, gave up six runs (five earned runs) on 11 hits and struck out two. Sophomore Kaycee Thompson pitched the final three innings, gave up three runs on five hits and struck out two.

In game two, the SFCC offense was held to just three hits, singles from Webb, freshman catcher Paige Klinge and Queathem. Webb scored the only run of the game for SFCC. Hughes recorded the only RBI.

Freshman Grace VanDenburgh got the start in the circle for SFCC and pitched one inning, gave up five runs on six hits and struck out one. Reese pitched 3 1/3 innings in relief and gave up 10 runs on 11 hits. Sophomore Tabitha Imhoff pitched two-thirds of an inning and gave up two runs on two hits.

"We have a lot of big region games next week," said Rupard. "Obviously, you don't want to lose both games at home, but we are playing teams just as good as Indian Hills next week. The second game got away from us, but it was nice to see Jaelyn Winfrey come back. She hasn't played a couple of games. Now we have to prepare for six big region games at home next week."

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics