SSU Softball splits with Indiana-Columbus (L 9-4, W 11-6)

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- The softball program at Shawnee State overcame a doubleheader-opening loss to Indiana-Columbus Saturday afternoon by claiming the second contest between the two teams, as the Bears rallied from a 9-4 loss in Game 1 and a 6-1 deficit in Game 2 by scoring 10 unanswered runs over the final three innings of play to close out the Crimson Pride, 11-6, and finish River States Conference action out in a strong manner with the week-ending victory and a 5-1 week to conclude matters overall at Cera Sports Park in Columbus, Ind.

Game Summary/Rundown

In Shawnee State's Game 2 victory, the Bears posted 13 hits en route to scoring its 11 runs as a group -- with Sierra Dunnagan and Kiera Williams combining for three extra base hits in the week-capping affair.

Madison Franz, who came on in relief of second-game starter Emma Wargel, threw four-and-a-third innings of stout softball, giving up four hits but allowed no more than one baserunner in any of the innings that Franz pitched as the freshman was able to obtain the victory.

With Saturday's result, Shawnee State has now won 12 out of its last 16 games -- as the Bears sit 14-10 overall and 10-6 in River States Conference play.

Kristen Bradshaw's group is now hitting .350 as a team, which sits 25th nationally at the NAIA level. Shawnee State not only is ranked 25th in batting average, but also sits 31st nationally in the NAIA in regard to on-base percentage.

Game 2

After falling behind by a 6-1 margin in the second contest, Shawnee State put together a furious rally in the top of the fifth inning, as a leadoff single by Gracey McCullough and a walk by Sydney Skiver was followed by nine-hole hitter Emily Cheatham's single to load the bases.

With the lineup turned over to the top of the order, the Bears proceeded to cash in in a big way, as Sierra Dunnagan's RBI single was followed by a two-RBI single by Jenna Christopher that immediately cut the lead from the five-run deficit that it was to just two -- 6-4.

Following Bianca Belo-Diaz's RBI grounder that the junior reached on -- scoring Dunnagan -- Belo-Diaz and Christopher then executed a double steal to tie the score. Two batters later, Emily Moore came up large as the freshman shortstop's two-out RBI single scored Belo-Diaz, turning the 6-1 deficit to a 7-6 advantage for Shawnee State after five innings of work.

The Bears ultimately never looked back.

In the sixth frame, Skiver's leadoff single was followed by two-out production from Shawnee State, as Dunnagan's RBI double scored Skiver while back-to-back singles by Christopher and Belo-Diaz resulted in two runs coming in on the latter's base hit -- increasing the Bears' lead to 10-6. Kiera Williams' RBI double in the seventh inning with two gone, which scored Skiver, proved to be the final salvo in the contest.

For the contest, Dunnagan went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and three runs scored to lead SSU while Christopher (2-for-4, two RBI, two runs scored), Moore (2-for-4, RBI) and McCullough (2-for-3) all reached the multi-hit column in the game. Belo-Diaz (1-for-4, four RBI, run scored), Skiver (1-for-3, walk, three runs scored), Williams (1-for-3, RBI) and Cheatham (1-for-4, run scored) also posted a hit in the five-run win.

Additional

In Game 1, Dunnagan (2-for-4, double, two RBI), Christopher (2-for-4, RBI) and Moore (2-for-4, run scored) each reached the multi-hit column while Genavie Espinoza (1-for-3, walk) and Cameryn Davidson (1-for-3, double, run scored) also reached base in the contest.

The softball program at Shawnee State will turn its attention to two important doubleheader contests this week -- as the Bears step out of River States Conference play briefly to host Lindsey Wilson Wednesday, April 2 at 3 p.m., then will host River States Conference leading Rio Grande Saturday, April 5 at 1 p.m.