Lady Roadrunners sweep Central Methodist

The State Fair Community College (SFCC) Lady Roadrunners softball team extended their winning streak to four games with a doubleheader sweep of Central Methodist University on Saturday, April 4 in Sedalia. SFCC (15-16) won the opening game in a back-and-forth contest 10-9 in eight innings and another close game 8-7 in game two.

"It was big to win these two games," said head coach Michele Rupard. "We have a lot of Region games coming up. It is encouraging for the girls to keep building momentum."

Freshman shortstop/utility player Haylee Cobb of Warsaw led the SFCC offense with four hits including a double and a triple. Cobb scored four runs and drove in two. Freshman pitcher/second baseman Grace Evans of Fulton contributed three hits, two RBIs, and a run scored. Freshman outfielder Madelyn Backes of Bonnots Mill had a pair of hits including a home run, two runs scored, and an RBI. Sophomore catcher Chelsye Graham of Ash Grove had a pair of hits including a double and three RBIs. Sophomore catcher Katlyn Starke of Linn had a pair of hits including a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. As a team, SFCC recorded 14 hits.

Sophomore pitcher/utility player Valerie Meyer of Houstonia got the start in the circle for SFCC. Meyer pitched 5 1/3 innings, gave up seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits, struck out six, and walked two. Sophomore pitcher/second baseman Elana Clark of Maysville came out of the bullpen and pitched 2 2/3 innings, gave up two unearned runs on one hit, struck out two, and walked one.

In game two, Backes contributed three more hits, including a home run and a double, three runs scored, and an RBI. Meyer also had three hits, including a pair of doubles, a run scored, and an RBI. Freshman utility player Jaden Mauzey of Mendon had a pair of hits, including a double, and two runs scored. Freshman catcher Piper Costello of Lee's Summit contributed a double and an RBI. Sophomore first baseman/outfielder Courtney Dehn of Dearborn added four RBIs. Freshman third baseman of Morgan Marshall of St. Joseph also drove in a run. As a team, SFCC put together 12 hits.

Freshman pitcher Addison Wallace of Carthage got the start in the circle for SFCC. Wallace pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up three runs on seven hits, struck out two, and walked one. Evans came out of the bullpen to pitch 2 1/3 innings, gave up four runs on five hits, and walked three. Clark pitched one inning out of the bullpen, gave up one hit, and struck out one.

"I thought our hitters competed," said Rupard. "We let some players hit today who haven't hit in the game for a while and they were ready for the opportunity. We also played some players on defense today who got some repetitions in."

SFCC will be back on the field on Wednesday, April 8 at Missouri State University-West Plains for a Region 16 doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics