The Northwest Missouri State softball team found out why Fort Hays State in currently the number one team in the conference and No. 18 in the NCAA Saturday as the Bearcats were no-hit in game one losing 1-0 and then falling 4-3 in extra innings in game two.
The pitching matchup between Jenna Creger and Maddie Holub was everything it was expected to be and more. The two pitchers came into the weekend ranking first and second in earned run average in the conference with Holub in first (0.84) and Creger right behind her (1.33).
Both team’s offenses were shut down through the first three innings. Creger gave up her first hit in the bottom of the fourth inning. FHSU later scored in the inning when Holub helped herself out with an RBI double to go up 1-0.
Holub never gave up a hit in the game or allowed anyone to reach base. Holub threw the first perfect game in Fort Hays State history on her way to the victory.
Creger went the distance for the complete game loss giving up only one earned run on two hits while not allowing any walks and collecting three strikeouts.
Northwest scored first in game two when Kristen Uthe hit a solo home run to left field to put her team up 1-0 early.
The Bearcats plated another run in the fifth inning as Labertew led off with a triple and was driven in by Rachel Schmitz. FHSU tied it up in the bottom half of the inning at 2-2.
The offenses exchanged runs again in the sixth inning as Stephanie Price was knocked in by Labertew who doubled down the left field line. In the bottom half of the inning the Tigers strung together a couple hits and scored a run to tie it back up at 3-3.
The game remained tied through the seventh sending the game into extra innings. Northwest left Price stranded on the base in the top half of the inning. FHSU was able to come through with a run to win the game 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth.
The Bearcats move their record to 19-11, 7-7 on the season. After playing their last eight games on the road, Head Coach Ryan Anderson’s team will be back in action at Bearcat Field this week. Northwest will host Lincoln Thursday for a double-header scheduled to start at 2 p.m.
— NWMSU Sports Information —