Softball Drops Series Finale to Western Illinois
Apr 17, 2016 | Softball
MACOMB, Ill. – After a hot start to the weekend, Omaha cooled down in its series finale against Western Illinois. The Mavericks fell to the Leathernecks 14-8 on Sunday after sweeping a doubleheader on Saturday.
Omaha is now 23-22 overall and 9-2 in Summit League play. Western Illinois improved to 11-28 on the season and 4-5 in league play.
The Mavericks took an early lead in the top of the first inning of Sunday's game after Nicole Warren led off with a triple and Sydney Hames followed with a home run to left field.
Omaha added to its lead in the top of the second as the first two hitters of the inning reached base. Leadoff hitter Bailey Schulenberg was hit by a pitch and moved to second on Kelly Pattison's single. After the next batter fouled out, Lia Mancuso drew a four pitch walk to load the bases. Warren smashed a 1-1 offering off the center field wall for a double that brought in Schulenberg and Pattison. Mancuso and Warren were stranded at second and third as the next two UNO batters struck out.
Western Illinois scored three times in the bottom of the second to cut into the Maverick lead. After recording the first out of the inning, the next three batters singled to score the Leathernecks' first run of the game. Western Illinois had two outs following a fielder's choice, but an Omaha error on Karissa Kouchis' double allowed two more runs to cross the plate. After three complete, Omaha held a 4-3 lead.
Kourtney Pock opened the top of the third inning with a double to left center and moved to third on Lizzie Noble's sacrifice fly. Schulenberg roped a one-out double to score Pock. Pattison walked to give Omaha two base runners with one out, but the Mavs were unable to add to their 5-3 lead.
Six hits and a pair of Omaha errors helped Western Illinois put eight runs on the board in the bottom of the third. With one out in the inning, the Leathernecks loaded the bases on two singles and a fielder's choice. Omaha's second error of the inning allowed two runs to score and tie the game, 5-5. The go ahead run came home when Omaha was called for an illegal pitch. Another WIU hit put runners on first and third with one out. Holly Hoelting doubled to left field to drive in the fourth run of the inning for the Leathernecks. Omaha would allow four more runs and trail 11-5 after three innings of play.
Warren led off the top of the fourth inning with a solo home run to make the score 11-6.
The Leathernecks responded with two more runs off two hits and an Omaha error in the bottom of the frame.
Omaha added single runs in the sixth and seventh inning, while Western Illinois added another run in the bottom of the sixth to make the final score 14-8.
Warren led the Mavericks at the plate with a 3-for-5 effort that included a double, triple, and home run to go with two runs scored and three RBI. Hames went 2-for-4 with a double and a homer with two runs scored and two RBI. Pock also had two hits, while Schulenberg and Trede each had RBI.
Laura Roecker (12-10) started and took the loss for the Mavericks. Roecker pitched 4.1 innings allowing eight runs (five earned) and walking two. Abbie Clanton pitched 0.1 innings allowing three hits and four runs (all unearned). Noble also pitched 1.1 innings allowing two runs (both earned) on three hits.
Omaha returns home to start a six game home stand starting on Tuesday afternoon. The Mavericks welcome North Dakota to Westside Field at Westbrook for a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m.
