SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri S&T softball opened Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play Saturday with a split against Drury, taking game one 4–1 before the Panthers responded with a 1–0 win in game two.
Game 1 – Missouri S&T 4, Drury 1
Missouri S&T jumped out to an early lead and received a complete-game effort in the circle from AJ Agers (DeSoto, MO/St. Pius X) to secure a 4–1 victory in the GLVC opener.
The Miners struck first in the opening inning when Molly Fitzgerald (Crystal Lake, IL/Marian Central Catholic) delivered a two-run single to give S&T a quick 2–0 advantage. Missouri S&T added to its lead in the second inning as
Taylor Nelson (Hailey, ID/Phillips Exeter Academy) singled down the right-field line on a full count to bring home another run and extend the lead to 3–0.
S&T later added another run to provide additional cushion for Agers, who controlled the game in the circle.
Agers earned the win after allowing one run on five hits over seven innings, striking out two and walking one.
Fitzgerald led the Miners offensively, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while both Fitzgerald and Agers recorded two hits in the contest. Missouri S&T also applied pressure on the bases, recording three stolen bases in the game.
Game 2 – Drury 1, Missouri S&T 0
The second game of the doubleheader turned into a pitcher's duel as Drury edged the Miners 1–0.
Missouri S&T starter Mia Miller (Waterloo, IL/Waterloo) turned in a strong outing, recording 18 outs over six innings while allowing just one run on four hits, striking out six and walking two.
The game remained scoreless until the sixth inning when Drury broke through with an RBI single that proved to be the difference.
Missouri S&T recorded two hits in the contest, with Kaylee LaChappell and Nelson each collecting one. Drury's Niemczyk led the Panthers with two hits, while the home team also played clean defensively without committing an error.
What's Next
Missouri S&T continues GLVC play on Saturday, March 21 as the Miners and travel to St. Louis to play UMSL in a doubleheader.
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