Ravens Softball split with the MidAmerica Nazarene University Pioneers Thursday afternoon.
The Ravens lost a tough first game, 2-1, then snagged the second game by a score of 8-3.
Game 1
The Ravens lost a pitchers' duel in Thursday's opening game. Bailey Selvage pitched all 7 innings for the Ravens, striking out 8 batters and giving up 2 runs, only 1 of which was earned. However, her counterpart from the Pioneers, Mykala Johnico, was slightly better. Johnico gave up 1 run in the complete game win.
The Ravens managed one hit against the Pioneers, a bunt single by Ryan Cooper, but was able to coax 7 walks at the plate. Walks were how the Ravens scored their only run in the fifth inning. Cooper and Kassidy James each walked to lead off the inning, then Baylee Knorr drove in Cooper with a ground out to short.
MNU's runs in the third and fourth innings turned out to be the deciding factor as the Pioneers won 2-1.
Game 2
The Ravens bats woke up in a big way in the second game as the home side slugged its way to an 8-3 win.
James led off the bottom of the first with a walk and Abby Pressgrove followed with a bunt single to set the table. Clare Heitz then cleared it, doubling home both runners to give the Ravens a 2-0 lead after the first inning.
The Ravens put up a big number in the bottom of the third inning to grab complete control of the game. Knorr doubled and was followed by a Heitz walk. A Chloe Strickland single loaded the bases and Natalie Sheffield promptly brought all three runners home with a triple. The scoring didn't stop there as Rhiannon Martin snuck a home run inside the left field foul pole to give the Ravens a 5-run inning and a 7-0 lead in the game.
After the Pioneers scored in the top of the fourth, James scored on a fielder's choice RBI by Strickland to make it 8-1 in favor of the Ravens.
MNU plated a single run in the fifth and sixth innings, but Lacey Foster came on in relief of Kera Willoughby in the sixth inning to earn the save, her third of the season.
Willoughby was strong in the circle for the Ravens through 5 innings of work, scattering 7 hits and allowing 3 runs to improve to 7-1 on the season.
The Ravens (25-5, 5-1 Heart) will hit the road for their next doubleheader, a noon start Saturday, March 30 at Baker.
