Tucson- The MNU Softball team played today in Tucson, AZ in the Tucson Invitational Games to start Spring Break. The Pioneers played 3 games and finished 2-1 on the day. MNU beat Calumet College of St. Joseph 16-4, lost to #2 Dickinson State University, and beat RV Robert Morris College 12-10.
Game 1- MNU wasted no time in scoring as they got on the scoreboard with a run in the first when Emily True knocked in Brianna Payne to make it 1-0. The Pioneers opened up the scoring in the 2nd inning with 8 hits, including Jennifer Costa's (8) Grand Slam, as they flip the scoreboard for a 12-0 lead. CCSJ scored a run in the bottom of the inning and MNU answered with 2 more of their own when Ashley Mayhle hit in Jennifer Costa on a sacrifice fly and Cait Gardner singling in Becca McCoy making the score 14-1. CCSJ then took advantage of 2 errors by the Pionners and scored 3 unearned runs making the score 14-4. In the 4th inning Emily True hit in Brianna Payne again and in the 5th inning Caitlin Thomas scored clinching the 16-4 win. Jordan Payne won her 3rd straight start making her 3-0 on the season. She threw 4 innings and gave up 1 earned run on 7 hits, 1 walk, and had 4 strike outs. Gale Christner came in and threw a perfect 1-2-3 inning to finish the game. Leading the offense was Jennifer Costa 3-3, HR, 2B, 2 Runs, 4 RBI; Brianna Payne 4-5, 4 Runs, 1 RBI, 3 SB; Ashley Salter 2-3, Run, 2 RBI; and Ashley Mayhle 2-3, 2 Runs, 2 RBI, SB.
Game 2- MNU got their battle weapons as they stepped onto the field with the #2 NAIA team in the Nation. The Pioneers were facing Junior Sarah Jane Webster who was an NAIA All American pitcher in both of her freshman and sophomore years. Dickinson showed why they were #2 with 2 runs in the 1st inning, 1 in the 3rd inning and 1 in the 5th making it 4-0 going into the 6th inning. After constant hitting adjustments the MNU hitters finally struck against Webster. Brianna Payne singled up the middle and Jennifer Costa walked to bring up Taylor Ryal. Ryal sent a 1 hop off the right-centerfield fence scoring both runners and getting the score to 4-2. Despite a late surge it wasn't enough to grab a win as Dickinson State beat MNU 4-2. Penny Eastman goes to 6-1 as she threw a complete game giving up 6 hits, 4 walks, and struck out 8. Leading the offence was Ryal who went 2-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI; Jennifer Costa 1-2, Run, BB; and Brianna Payne 1-3 Run.
Game 3- MNU jumped on Robert Morris in the 1st when Taylor Ryal doubled home Emily True and Ashley Costa. Leslie Jones hit a sacrifice fly to score Jennifer Costa as the Pioneers score 3 runs in the 1st inning. Robert Morris answered back scoring 3 of their own off of Jennifer Costa. MNU scored again in the 2nd when Emily True hit in Kim Russell. Then the sticks exploded for MNU in the 4th with 6 runs on 7 hits, including Taylor Ryal's(4) 2nd grand slam of the season. MNU would add another run in the 5th when Jennifer Costa singled home Emily True. Robert Morris did not go quietly as they started the bottom of the 5th down 11-3. They would score 7 runs on Jennifer Costa and Gale Christner closing the gap to 11-10. The Pioneers added an insurance run in the 7th when Taylor Ryal singled home Jordan Payne making the score 12-10, a score that would stand. Jennifer Costa grabs the win going 5-1 on the season. Gale Christner threw 2 innings and Penny Eastman threw a scoreless 7th inning to get her 1st save of the season. Leading the offence was Emily True 5-5, 2B, 4 Runs, 1 RBI; Jennifer Costa 4-5, 2B, 2 Runs, RBI; Taylor Ryal 3-5, HR, 2B, Run, 7 RBI; and Kim Russell 3-4, Run, RBI, SB. MNU Smashed 22 hits while Robert Morris scrambled 10. Robert Morris College received votes in the NAIA pre-season.
“This was a very good and long day for us,” says MNU Head Coach Steve Babinski, “we brought our sticks and had a lot of fun swinging them. Pitching was just ok today. We have been spoiled up until now by outstanding pitching this season. Today our starters competed but didn't have their best stuff. Our defense was also sluggish and our offense bailed us out…especially that last game.” Babinski adds, “We are all excited to suit up again and get another chance to put it all together. This is a great group of kids and we are having a blast playing this wonderful game called softball.”
On the day, MNU pounded 30 runs on 42 hits. MNU moves to 14-2 and will play 3 more games on Monday, March 15th against Minot State College, Mayville State College, and the University of Minnesota-Morris.
