LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Omaha softball team fell to Northern Iowa, 8-0, but defeated Missouri State, 2-0, on Friday at the Jayhawk Invitational.
The Mavericks are now 9-14 on the season. Omaha returns to the diamond on Saturday with two games. The Mavs start the day with a rematch against Missouri State at 4:30 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. game with UMKC.
GAME ONE: Northern Iowa 8 Omaha 0
Northern Iowa's pitching kept the Omaha bats quiet on Friday. Sydney Hames recorded both Maverick hits on the day.
The game was scoreless until Northern Iowa put two on the board in the top of the fourth inning.
Hames gave Omaha its first baserunner of the day with a single to left in the bottom of the inning, but was stranded at first.
The Panthers added four runs in the top of the sixth on five hits and two walks to take a 6-0 lead. UNI scored two more runs in the top of the seventh to make the score, 8-0.
Hames opened the bottom of the seventh with a single to left and took second on a wild pitch. Bailey Schulenberg walked to put a runner in scoring position. Panther starter Alyssa Buchanan was able to retire the next three batters to end the game.
Abbie Clanton started and took the loss by pitching 5 2/3 innings allowing six runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and four walks. Lizzie Noble pitched the final 1 1/3 innings allowing two runs on two hits.
GAME TWO: Omaha 2 Missouri State 0
Omaha found itself in a pitchers' duel in its second game of the day. The Mavericks scored two runs in the top of the six inning to earn a 2-0 win over Missouri State.
Kourtney Pock was 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. Megan May was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Lizzie Noble went 1-for-3 with a single and a run scored. Campbell Ditto was 1-for-3 with a stolen base, while Alexis Parker went 1-for-2.
Laura Roecker pitched a complete game shutout and earned her fifth win of the season. Roecker allowed three hits with one walk and two strikeouts.
In the top of the fourth, the Mavericks had their first scoring opportunity as Ditto singled down the left field line and stole second with two outs. However, Missouri State was able to get a ground out to prevent any damage.
Missouri State got its first two hits of the game in the bottom of the fourth as they were able to put runners on second and third with two outs. Rocker was able to get a pop up to end the inning.
Omaha put two runners on base in the fifth as Lia Mancuso drew a one-out walk and then stole second. Bailey Schulenberg was hit by a pitch, but the Bears were able to work around the danger and keep the game scoreless.
Noble singled up the middle with two out in the sixth. Pock roped a double to left field allowing Noble to come around and give Omaha the lead, 1-0. May hit a single to left allowing Pock to come around and increase the Mavs lead to 2-0.
Roecker retired the final six MSU batters of the game to pick up the win.
