KIRKSVILLE, Mo. -- Missouri S&T Softball extended its win streak to eight consecutive games today, defeating the Truman State Bulldogs 5-1 and 6-1. Mia Miller (Waterloo, IL/Waterloo) recorded a season-high eight strikeouts in game two, picking up eight Ks.
Game 1: Miners 5, Bulldogs 1
The Miners built a solid lead in the first inning, getting two runners on after Taylor Nelson (Hailey, ID/Phillips Exeter Academy) took a walk and Molly Fitzgerald (Crystal Lake, IL/Marian Central Catholic) reached on an error, with the former scoring later in the inning off a single by Kaylee LaChappell (Oswego, IL/Oswego). Tori Thompson (Chandler, AZ/Basha) added three more runs in the next at-bat, hitting her seventh home run of the season to make it a 4-1 game.
After starting pitcher AJ Agers (DeSoto, MO/St. Pius X) retired Truman's first three batters in order, the Miners added another run in the top of the second, getting a single from Claire Lopez (Olathe, KS/Olathe Northwest), who would score on a Taylor Nelson (Hailey, ID/Phillips Exeter Academy) double in the next at-bat. Truman scored their lone run of the contest in the bottom of the third, sending a solo home run over the left field fence.
The Miners recorded two hits in the fourth and another pair in the seventh, but neither team surrendered another run, as S&T held on for a 5-1 win in game one. Agers pitched the full 7.0 innings, giving up just three hits and one earned run while striking out three.
Game 2: Miners 6, Bulldogs 1
The Miners threatened again in the first inning, getting Lopez to second after a single and a steal, but were unable to bring her home. Truman responded with a baserunner of its own but would leave her stranded as well.
Mia Miller (Waterloo, IL/Waterloo) struck out seven batters in eight at-bats between the first and third innings, keeping the Bulldogs off the scoreboard early. The Miners' offense threatened again in the top of the third after singles by Morgan Williams (Midland, MI/Midland) and Lopez, but they would not get on the board until the fourth. AJ Agers (DeSoto, MO/St. Pius X) hit a leadoff single in the top of the fourth, starting an inning that featured doubles from Thompson and Trista Grobe (DeSoto, MO/DeSoto), while Williams added a three-run home run to make it a 4-0 game.
Truman added their first and only run of the game in the fourth as well, getting a pair of bunt singles to set up a run on a steal. The fifth and sixth innings were both quiet ones, with a single by Thompson being the only hit in those frames. Singles by Grobe, Lopez, and Nelson contributed to the Miners adding another pair of runs in the top of the seventh, allowing Agers to enter to pitch the final inning and seal the 6-1 victory.
Nelson and Lopez led the team at the plate, hitting .667 and .625 to combine for nine hits. Thompson and Williams both recorded three RBIs and a home run, with the former adding a double.
What's Next
The Miners play their final two road games of the regular season at noon tomorrow, facing the William Jewell Cardinals.
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