The Basics
Game 1 Score:Â MNU 2 - St. Mary 0
Game 2 Score: MNU 3Â - St. Mary 0
Records: MNUÂ (2-0), USM (1-3)
Location:Â Williams Field | Olathe, Kan.
OLATHE, Kan. - The Pioneers pitched back-to-back shutouts in a opening day sweep of St. Mary on Wednesday. In
Game 1,
Mykala Johnico dominated through 4 innings, allowing a walk in the 5th for the Spires' first baserunner. A leadoff single in the top of the 6th broke up the no-hitter, but 3 straight strikeouts ended the threat and kept the game scoreless. In the bottom of the 6th,
Maddison Soman led off with a single, but was still on first with 2 outs.
Alli VanLanker singled her to second, and
Kelly Stoakes followed with a double to the fence to bring home both runners. Johnico worked a clean 7th, and the Pioneers won 2-0.
Game 1 Turning Point
Kelly Stoakes' 2-run double in the 6th was the game winner.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Mykala Johnico struck out 12 in a 1-hit complete game shutout. And
Kelly Stoakes (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI) drove in both runs.
In
Game 2, a 2-out rally from MNU was capped by an RBI double from
Alli VanLanker to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. Both pitchers shut down the offenses over the next 3 innings, but the Pioneers broke through for 2 more in the 5th. Two errors and a bunt single loaded the bases with no outs, and an infield single and walk make it 3-0.
Mandy Brown pitched the final 3 innings of
Graci Buckly's start, and they combined for a 3-hit shutout with 6 strikeouts.
Game 2Â Turning Point
Alli VanLanker's RBI double in the 1st proved to be enough.
Game 2Â Individual Leaders
Graci Buckly struck out 3 in 4 shutout innings for the win.
Mandy Brown struck out 3 in 3 shutout innings for the save. And Maddie Brooke (2-3),
Kelly Stoakes (2-3, RBI), and
Alli VanLanker (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, BB) led the offense.
Up Next
The next games are at the Avila tournament this weekend. Games have already been postponed. Check the softball schedule for updates.
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