CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Seventh-seeded Glenville State Softball had their late-inning comeback fall just short this evening (May 28) to No. 2 seed Missouri Southern in the Pioneers opening game of the NCAA DII Women's College World Series. GSU (51-17) will now move to the loser's bracket with the 5-3 defeat.
#7 GSU 3 | #2 Missouri Southern State 5
The Lions did what they do best early, stealing bases and scoring runs. Four first-inning singles plated two for MSSU, and Second Team All-American Kiki Pickens was pushing through the Pioneer lineup. Pickens struck out six of the first nine batters she saw, but Glenville State started to muster offense without a hit in the fifth inning. Two straight walks, a hit by pitch and a wild pitch scored GSU a run in the top of the 5
th after MSSU scored two in the bottom of the 4
th on a double.
Missouri Southern quickly got the run back, as Emily Perry knocked a homer out of Frost Stadium to make it 5-1 after five.
Maci Boggess worked a scoreless sixth inning, and Glenville State didn't go down without a fight.
Hannah Howe,
Emily Nolan and
Kylee Goodman worked back-to-back-to-back walks after an opening out to start the threat.
Emma McLean then earned an RBI on a walk, and
Alexis Harward wore one on the side to notch an RBI and trim the deficit to two.
Shelby McDaniels and
AndiJo Howard had solid at bats to finish the game, but the pitching of MSSU did not waver as the Lions closed out the opening round victory, 5-3.
Final Stats
Missouri Southern State
Bailey Dillon, Taylor Nuckolls and Emily Perry all had two hits while Nuckolls led the way with three RBIs. Three other Lions finished with a hit with two others adding an RBI in the win. Kiki Pickens picked up the win after 6.1 innings of no-hit ball with eight strikeouts.
Glenville State
The Pioneers were unable to get a hit, however, GSU used six walks and two hit by pitches to score their runs.
Hannah Howe walked twice, and four other Pioneers were also walked.
Kylie Burdick went five innings, surrendering five runs (earned) on nine hits and one walk. She also struck out one in the defeat.
Up Next For The Pioneers
The Pioneers will take on No. 3 North Georgia at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday (May 30) in an elimination game at Frost Stadium.
