OTTAWA Kan.. - Kansas Wesleyan University Softball team headed east to Ottawa University to face the Braves in a conference match up. The Coyotes improved defensively this weekend but struggled to create timely hits to put runs on the board and lost game one 5-1 and game two 2-1 in an 8 inning ball game.
Game one Coyotes started
Caitlyn Collier in the circle. She would pitch the whole game. For OU Laine Becker would go distance as well and pitch the whole game for the Braves. The Braves were able to get on the board off of a sac fly. KWU would keep the Braves at one run but could not find a run themselves until the top of the 6th. That's when KWU capitalized on a infield error then, stringed two hits together by
Cadence Mallet and
Brooklyn Lange that would lead
Briannah Kutschkau to score form third and even things at 1-1. KWU would get 2 more hits but left bases loaded after a base running mistake and a fly out to center. Going into the bottom of the 6th OU was able to get that one run back and pile on some more, scoring four runs on four hits. Making the score 5-1 after six innings, which would end up being the final score of game one.
Going into game two, Coyotes sent
Alli Mickelsen to pitch. She would go all 8 innings. The Braves would do the same keeping Cesara Roque in the circle the whole game. This game was defense duel that went scoreless though regulation seven innings. Brianna Kutschkau was sent out for the Coyotes at second. After a quick steal to third she was only 60 feet away from giving the Coyotes the one run lead. Then,
Jenna Soule hit a deep sac fly to center field that would give Kutschkau the chance to tie up and score to make it a 1-0 ball game. OU started the bottom of the 8th inning with a tie breaker runner on second as well, and also capitalized with playing some small ball. After a squeeze bunt and a head of steam the Braves were able to score all the way from second after a poor to first base by the Coyotes. The Braves then stole second, then stole third, then one more single sent the runner on third home scoring the winning run for the Braves. The Coyotes dropped game two 2-1.
The Coyotes fall to 11-15 on the season and 2-6 in KCAC play. KWU will continue conference play this Monday as they return home to face the Bethel College Threshers at 4:00 PM for a double header at Salina South High School Softball facilities.
