Softball | 4/27/2017 9:22:20 PM

Oklahoma City, Okla. – The MIAA Softball Tournament got off to a wild start as pitchers duels and high scoring games highlighted the first round of play from the ASA Hall of Fame Softball Complex in Oklahoma City, Okla.
 
#1 Central Oklahoma 3, #8 Emporia State 0
Central Oklahoma got a strong pitching performance as they opened the tournament with a 3-0 win over Emporia State.
 
The Bronchos took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as Carli Jones singled home JoBi Heath who had doubled earlier in the inning. Heath would then provide her team with an RBI in the bottom of the fifth as she singled to right field driving home Lexi Watson.
 
For the Bronchos Heath finished two for three with a run driven in as did Carli Jones. In the circle Peyton Walker got the win pitching five innings allowing just three hits and striking out one while Jayden Chestnut picked up a save in two innings of relief.
 
#6 Northwest Missouri 11, #3 Central Missouri 2
Northwest Missouri jumped on top early they earned an 11-2 upset win over third seeded Central Missouri.
 
The Bearcats struck first in the top of the first inning as Abigail Gilson hit a grand slam to center field to give her team a 4-0 lead. The Bearcats added to their lead on back to back singles from Jessica Rawie and Gilson that plated runs.
 
Jaedra Moses and Kaitlyn Weis would also add RBI singles as the Bearcats plated five and took a 9-0 lead into the bottom of the third inning. Central Missouri would cut into the lead in the bottom of the third  as they plated two unearned runs including an RBI by Lauren Mabe.
 
Gilson continued her strong night as she picked up RBI number six and seven on a single in the top of the fifth inning.

For the Bearcats Gilson finished four for four with two runs scored and seven runs driven in while Rebecca Maher scored three times. In the circle Taylor Blackford picked up the win pitching all five innings and allowing just five hits while striking out six.
 
#2 Pittsburg State 1, #7 Southwest Baptist 0 (14 Innings)
In a game that took 14 innings Pittsburg State finally broke through for a 1-0 victory over Southwest Baptist.
 
It was an extra innings pitchers dual as both teams combined for just nine hits through the first 10 innings and the two pitchers combined for 19 strikeouts. In the bottom of the 14^th inning Pittsburg State pieced together back-to-back hits and then a walk loaded the bases.
 
The Gorillas would then walk off with a win as Alicia Lowrey drew a walk to drive home the winning run.
 
In the circle for PSU Emmie Robertson threw 14 innings of scoreless softball striking out 15 to pick up the win. On the other side Claire Miller threw 13 innings of scoreless softball striking out ten.
 
#5 Missouri Western 4, #4 Missouri Southern 2
Missouri Western got early runs and held on a for a 4-2 win over fourth seeded Missouri Southern.
 
The Griffons got on the board first as Morgan Rathmann triple to lead off the game and then scored on a Katie Klosterman sacrifice fly. MWSU would plate three more runs in the top of the second including an RBI single from Morgan Rathmann.
 
The Lions would plate their first run of the game of Kylie Westbrooks sacrificed home Angel Badalamenti. The Lions would cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fifth as Myranda Stewart singled home Abi Corbett.
 
At the plate for the Griffons Rathmann went four for four with a run scored anda  run driven in. In the circle Barbara Billingsley picked up the win pitching seven innings and striking out six.