SEASIDE, Calif. – Cold bats and fielding woes doomed the MSU Moorhead softball team as they dropped a pair of games to Cal State Monterey Bay Sunday evening.
The games were initially scheduled for Friday afternoon, but were moved following inclement weather. The Otters claimed game one 3-1 before winning game two 4-1.
Game One
Kaelyn Leverson had a strong start in the circle for MSUM, not allowing a hit through the first two innings she pitched on 28 total pitches. The no-hit bid would be put to rest following a lead-off single in the bottom of the third inning. That single would result in a run for the Otters in the third inning to take an early 1-0 lead. MSUM's lone hit came thanks to a
Teagan Pranchke single in the top half of the third. The freshman was able to make it all the way to third base, but the Dragons left her and
Lizzy Davis on base.
Eliya Johnson would lead off the fourth inning with a double to put a runner in scoring position with no outs. Johnson would advance to third before being left on base. MSUM would tie the score in the top of the fifth inning as Pranchke worked out a one-out walk, advancing to second on an
Evey Evans single.
Mack Gallagher stepped to the plate with two outs and drove in Pranchke on a double to tie the game. Evans was thrown out at home attempting to score on the same play.
Monterey Bay would get two runners in scoring position in the home half of the inning. The Otters would drive them both in on an RBI double to take a 3-1 lead heading into the final two innings. While MSUM would get two runners on base during the ensuing inning, they would not be able to bring a run around. In total, the Dragons left six on-base throughout the game.
The Dragons would be unable to muster across any runs through the remainder of the game. Monterey Bay secured game one 3-1.
Game Two
The Otters kicked off the scoring in game two thanks to a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning,
Mack Gallagher would reach on a fielder's choice in the top of the fourth and would later advance to third on a
Jordey Brown-Smith single.
Annika Norman would put the Dragons on the board, driving in Gallagher on a single. Through four innings, Monterey Bay led 2-1.
Monterey Bay would bring around another run in the bottom of the fifth inning on an unearned run due to a Dragon error. MSUM had four fielding errors in the contest with the Otters adding four insurance runs in the home half of the sixth inning. Monterey Bay would win game two, 7-1.
Up Next
MSUM (11-6) is back on the diamond tomorrow afternoon for a contest with the Academy of Art. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. from Saratoga, Calif.
