[Softball] Doane Uses Big Seventh Inning Rally to Complete Sweep of Softball Falcons

WICHITA, Kan. – The Doane College (Neb.) Tigers scored eight runs in the seventh inning to complete a furious rally and win the second game 10-9 to finish a sweep of the Friends University Falcons today (Mar. 14) at Two Rivers Youth Complex in Wichita.  The Tigers won 10-5 in the first game.

The Falcons carried a 7-2 lead into the seventh, but the Tigers wasted no time making things interesting, as a three-run home run by Jordan Van Roy followed a double and walk to begin the inning.

The Tigers were just getting started, as an error was followed by a double by Taylor Mashburn.

Mashburn then scored on a single by Haley Kennedy and crossed the plate with the tying run on another error.

Doane took the lead when Kennedy scored on an RBI single by Ashley Meyer and a two-run double from Brittney Amezquita added two important insurance runs.

The Falcons didn't go down without a fight, as the seventh started with a single by Renee Downey (SO/Modesto, Calif.) and a double from Moriah Kayhill (SR/Ottawa, Kan. ).

With one out, Shelby Belloni (JR/Lakewood, Colo. ) singled home Downey and Kayhill then made it a one-run game by scoring off a throwing error.

But Belloni was then thrown out trying to advance to third and a fly out allowed the Tigers to hang on for the win.

The Falcons appeared to have things in control when Kylie Fox (JR/Wichita, Kan. ) doubled home two runs to key a six-run first inning.

The big frame also included RBI singles from Mackenzie Nichol and Kayhill along with a bases-loaded walk to Belloni.

Downey was three-of-four at the plate for the Falcons in the nightcap, while Kayhill, Belloni and Isabella Gonzalez (JR/Bakersfield, Calif.) each had two hits.

Alicia Dunagan (JR/Douglass, Kan.) started for the Falcons and lasted six innings, allowing six runs, four earned with one strikeout.

Haileigh Arthur came on in relief for the Tigers and pitched the final 6 1/3 innings, giving up three runs, with one earned tally and four strikeouts.

In the first game, the Tigers used a five-run second inning to break open a 2-1 game.

The Tigers played long ball to extend the lead, getting a two-run homer from Van Roy and solo blasts from Arthur and Jordyn Stearns.

The Falcons slowly chipped away, using the long ball themselves when Breanna Vest (JR/Fayettevile, Ark. ) smacked a two-run shot in the bottom of the third.

Friends got another run in the fourth when Nichols doubled with one out and came around to score on an RBI double from Downey.

But Stearns put it out of reach by hitting her second homer of the day, a three-run round tripper in the sixth.

Belloni hit her first career homer in the first and Nichols doubled home a run in the sixth for the Falcons (7-14).

Heather Breslin (SR/Anchorage, Alas.) got the start in the opener for the Falcons and went 1 2/3 innings, giving up five runs (two earned).

Walker followed with the next 4 1/3 innings and allowed five runs, but none earned before Reaghan Burris (SR/Larned, Kan.) struck out one batter in a scoreless seventh inning.

Hannah Feagler picked up the win for Doane (16-10), surrendering five runs (four earned) in her seven innings in the circle.

The Falcons will next play a pair of games at Texas Wesleyan University Saturday morning, starting at 10 am in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Friends defeated TWU 8-0 in their season opener back on Feb. 2 in Texarkana, Texas.