BRANSON, Mo. – The York University softball team split a pair of games Saturday, dropping the opener to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods before bouncing back for a 5-2 win over Mission in the nightcap.
The Panthers are now 3-5 on the season.
Against Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, York trailed 1-0 entering the fourth frame and quickly tied the contest.
Chloe Lockhart drew a lead-off walked and moved to second on a single by
Nevaeh Reed. With one down,
Moriah Hoshowski swiped second to put two runners in scoring position. An
Emma Morphew groundout pushed across Lockhart.
Down 2-1 in the fifth, C. Martinez walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. After going to third on a groundout, a
Kennedie Anderson double to right field tied the game at 2-2.
The designated home team scored four runs in the sixth for a four-run lead, but York continued to battle.
Gracie Torstensen reached on an error. With one down, Anderson rocketed a single down the right field line, scoring Torstensen. However, back-to-back outs ended the game.
In the circle, Lockhart went the distance and had six strikeouts.
For the game, Anderson had two hits and two RBI while Morphew had one RBI.
Against Mission, York jumped on top in the bottom of the first. With two down, Lockhart doubled and scored on Reed's extra-base hit.
With one on and two down in the third, Lockhart walked, pushing Anderson to second. Both Panthers raced home on Reed's double to left center field for a 3-0 advantage.
York added to the advantage when Lockhart singled to left center field in the fifth. With two on after a fielder's choice, Morphew singled home Reed for a 5-0 margin.
The Panthers added an insurance run in the sixth when Anderson crossed home on a groundout by Hoshowski.
Mission scored two runs in the seventh, but it was not enough as the York defense closed out the win.
For the game, Lockhart had three hits while Reed posted two hits and drove in three. Anderson and Lockhart each scored twice.
Alex Harwell went the distance, striking out two in the win. She gave up two runs on six hits and faced 33 batters.
The Panthers return to action Friday, Feb. 14 when they take on Northwestern College at 5 p.m., and Briar Cliff at 7 p.m., in Sioux City, Iowa. Live stats will be available at YorkPanthers.com.