AUSTIN, Texas – The MSU Denver softball team picked up a hard-earned split Wednesday in a key non-conference doubleheader at St. Edward's (Texas).
After dropping the opening game 1-0, MSU Denver bounced back for a 5-3 victory in the second game.
In the nightcap, the Roadrunners jumped out to a quick 2-0 first-inning lead on an RBI double by
Hannah DiFabio and a run-scoring groundout by
Aaliyah Arellano.
"After a tough game offensively, it was really nice to see our hitters come out and put two runs on the board in the first inning," MSU Denver coach
Annie Van Wetzinga said.
St. Edward's answered with two runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning but DiFabio drove in another run with a third-inning single and
Genevieve Bower produced an RBI double in the fourth to give MSU Denver a 4-2 lead.
St. Edward's got a run back in the bottom of the fourth, but
Kami Grammerstorf's RBI triple in the top of the sixth made it 5-3 and pitcher
Jenna Medhus took care of the rest. In a complete-game effort, Medhus struck out nine while allowing seven hits and walking three to improve to 2-1.
"Jenna and Genevieve were a great battery in the game," Van Wetzinga said. "Jenna pitched some big pitches in some big moments."
Grammerstorf was 3-for-3 and scored two runs, while DiFabio and Bower were each 2-for-3.
Audrey Burt (1-3) was the tough-luck losing pitcher in a complete game in the opener, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out seven.
"I'm really happy with where our pitchers are at," Van Wetzinga said. "I know Audrey picked up the loss, but she threw great, and (catcher) Jaiden (Geist) called a great game behind the plate. We need to provide more support offensively.
"I want to give their starter credit. She threw well, but we've talked about how we need to get better at applying pressure on good pitchers."
The Roadrunners mustered just three hits – one each for DiFabio, Hartvigsen, and
Adriana Bueno – and one walk. MSU Denver struck out 11 times.
MSU Denver, a solid 3-4 during its season-opening Texas road trip, wraps up the nine-game sojourn Thursday with a 3 p.m. MST doubleheader at St. Mary's (Texas).