Jennies season ends at MIAA Tournament

The Jennies ended their season this past Friday going 1-2 in the MIAA Softball Tournament.

CMSU (32-25), seeded fifth, dropped their opener to the 23^rd ranked Washburn Lady Blues (36-19), seeded fourth, 5-2. WU jumped on top in the bottom of the second on a single back up the middle to take a 1-0 lead. The Jens answered back in the next half inning with one out Kristy Furrer doubled to left center and advanced to third on Lauren Young's ground ball to first. Furrer scored on Heather Whitcomb's single to second base to knot the game at 1-1. Central Missouri had the chance to take the lead in the fourth, Kym Caskey led things off with a double to left and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, but she was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a ground out to shortstop. Washburn took advantage scoring three times in the bottom of the fourth highlighted by a two run home run to left field. The Jennies cut the lead in half in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Melissa Palmer. The Lady Blues would add an insurance run in the sixth on another home run for the final margin. Meredith Muenks took the loss allowing four runs on nine hits with two strikeouts in 3.2 innings to fall to 14-6 on the season.

In the Jens second game of the day they took on Missouri Southern in an elimination game. The Lions (17-23) had a chance to break on top in the first but left the bases loaded with no damage being done. CMSU jumped on top in the fourth on Caskey's lead off home run, her fifth of the season, for a 1-0 lead. MSSU threatened in the fifth with two on and two out Caskey robbed the Lions of taking the lead by making a sensational diving catch going full extension to her right ending the inning. The Jennies added some insurance in the seventh scoring three times highlighted by Caskey's two run single up the middle to make it 4-0. DeAnna McQueen went the first four innings allowing no runs on three hits while walking one to improve to 10-6. Kelly Martin came on in relief, pitching the final three innings giving up a hit and a walk while striking out a batter to pick up her fifth save of the season, setting a new CMSU single season record.

After a break, Central Missouri played the final game of the evening against Truman State in another elimination game. The Jennies jumped on top in the third inning with runners on the corner Whitcomb took off for second and the catchers was wild which allowed Furrer to score easily from third for a 1-0 lead. The lead would be short lived as the Jens defense fell apart in the bottom half of the inning allowing the Bulldogs (30-22) two unearned runs and trailed 2-1 heading into the fourth. CMSU tied the game in the fourth when Young walked with the bases loaded scoring Palmer. The Jens had the chance to take the lead but Whitcomb lined out to second ending the inning. TSU answered right back in the bottom of the inning with three straight home runs after the first two were retired for a 5-2 lead. Muenks went the first 3.2 innings allowing four runs (two earned) on only four hits with a strikeout ending the season at 14-7. McQueen and Young came out of the bullpen pitching the final 2.1 innings giving up a run on three hits.