(RV) SSU SB drops contests to Michigan-Dearborn, No. 12 Indiana Wesleyan

VIERA, Fla. -- The softball program at Shawnee State got another strong performance from Cameryn Davidson inside the circle in Game 1 against Michigan-Dearborn and took early leads of 4-0 and 6-3 against No. 12 Indiana Wesleyan, but the Bears dropped two contests to cap its three-day swing in the Sunshine State as Shawnee State fell to the Wolverines (1-0) and the Wildcats (15-7) Monday at the Space Coast Spring Games in Viera, Fla.

Game 1

Shawnee State posted 14 hits between the two contests and got another high-quality performance from Davidson in Game 1, as the nearby Raceland High School graduate fired a complete game three-hitter.

In the opener, Davidson kept Shawnee State in the fight throughout as the talented pitcher struck out six in her complete game effort -- her second in as many appearances this season for the Bears. The only run that came across during Davidson's time inside the circle was unearned, as Michigan-Dearborn's Francesca Badalamenti came around to score in the third inning on an error.

The Bears, who got a 2-for-3 outing from Sierra Dunnagan and one hit each from Emily Moore and Mackenzie Hale in their three at-bats over the contest, threatened in the sixth -- as Shawnee State's Keegan Uhl doubled in her first plate appearance of the contest to put SSU in a position to strike late in the going. However, Michigan-Dearborn reliever Brooklyn Jones was able to induce three consecutive groundouts -- and halt the threat.

Game 2

Shawnee State responded to the tough one-run setback in Game 2 by firing out of the gates offensively -- as the Bears hung a four-spot to begin matters against No. 12 Indiana Wesleyan.

Following a leadoff walk by Jenna Christopher, back-to-back singles by Genavie Espinoza and Sierra Dunnagan helped set up the Bears for early damage in the frame -- and Keegan Uhl, along with Mackenzie Hale, capitalized on their opportunities to drive in runs as Uhl's RBI single to left field and Hale's three-RBI double to left center shot Shawnee State out to a 4-0 advantage after the opening half inning of play.

While Indiana Wesleyan countered with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame on a pair of singles that produced the three salvos, Shawnee State pushed the contest back out to a multi-run affair as Emily Cheatham's leadoff single, a wild pitch, a walk by Christopher and a double steal by Cheatham and Christopher allowed Genavie Espinoza to drive in Cheatham with an RBI groundout. Then, after another walk and a steal of second base by Dunnagan, an error allowed Christopher to come home -- as the Bears took a 6-3 lead after two innings of work.

However, after scoring one run in the third frame to cut SSU's lead to a 6-4 count, Indiana Wesleyan rallied back to claim the win.

For the contest, Dunnagan (3-for-3, walk, triple, RBI, run scored), Hale (1-for-3, double, three RBI), Christopher (1-for-2, two walks, stolen base, two runs scored), Uhl (1-for-3, RBI, run scored), Cheatham (1-for-3, run scored), Espinoza (1-for-4, RBI, run scored) and Emily Moore (1-for-3) led the Shawnee State offensive lineup.

Additional

Shawnee State (2-4) will head to Rio Grande (8-4) Saturday evening for a pair of River States Conference contests in what will serve as the conference-opening doubleheader for both squads. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 1 p.m.