Lady Roadrunners face more tough competition

The State Fair Community College (SFCC) Lady Roadrunners softball team opened their portion of the Midwest College Classic with a pair of losses on the opening day of the event on Friday, Feb.27 in Shawnee Kan.

SFCC (1-5) lost to Iowa Western Community College 9-3 in their opening game of the day. Iowa Western is currently receiving votes in the NJCAA Division I Softball Rankings. Freshman Grace Evans of Fulton led the SFCC offense with a pair of hits, including a double, and a run scored. Freshman utility player Shyanne Weibrecht of Perryville contributed a hit, an RBI, and a run scored. Freshman utility player Jaden Mauzey of Mendon also scored a run. Freshman infielder/utility player Jillian Reller of Elsberry also drove in a run.

Sophomore pitcher/second baseman Elana Clark of Maysville got the start in the circle for SFCC. Clark pitched 5 2/3 innings, gave up eight runs on 12 hits. Clark struck out one and walked three. Freshman Addison Wallace of Carthage came out of the bullpen to pitch 1 1/3 innings and struck out one.

In game two, SFCC fell to Indian Hills Community College 13-5 in six innings because of the run rule. Freshman pitcher Corinne Tuck of Braymer had a pair of hits including a double, two RBIs, and a run scored. Sophomore third baseman/catcher Natalie Crumpler of Exeter had a pair of hits including a home run and two RBIs. Freshman outfielder Madelyn Backes of Bonnots Mill also hit a home run. Sophomore Jenna Herald of Monett doubled and scored a pair of runs.

Evans got the start in the circle for SFCC. Evans pitched 1 1/3 innings, gave up eight runs (six earned runs) on seven hits. Tuck came out of the bullpen to pitch 4 2/3 innings and gave up five runs on eight hits, struck out two, and walked two.

"We played two really good teams today," said Lady Roadrunners head coach Michele Rupard. "I thought we had another decent day defensively. Offensively, some people have really started making adjustments and getting better. We had a lot of hard-hit balls today. In both games we got down early but, fought our way back into the games. I am looking forward to tomorrow."

SFCC will close out their portion of the Midwest College Classic with two more games on Saturday, Feb. 28. SFCC will take on Southwestern Community College and Morton College.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics