April 6, 2008

Softball Sweeps Mines Again

Two Complete Games on the Mound; 20 Hits from Offense

      Kearney, Neb. – Senior Amanda Bell and freshman Jessie Thomas threw complete games and the Nebraska-Kearney softball team pounded out 20 hits to sweep Colorado School of Mines, 7-2 and 6-3, Sunday afternoon at Dryden Park.

      UNK (12-20, 11-15 RMAC) wins four in a row for the first time this year and sweeps an RMAC foe for the first time in 2008. The Orediggers (23-15, 13-9 RMAC) came into the weekend in first place in the East Division but will now fall into second place and maybe even further.

      In game one, Bell (Ft. Collins, Colo.) threw a four hit gem, fanning two 'Diggers and walking none. Thomas (Yutan) then followed with a seven hit complete game in the night cap.

      Offensively, UNK had 12 hits in the first contest with lead off hitter Michelle Gaunt (McCook) going 3 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Three others had two hits, including Thomas, who also drove in a pair.

      A three run Loper third broke a two all tie and featured back-to-back homers from sophomore Laura Gormley (Omaha Northwest) and freshman Cassie Keck (Blair).

      The 'Diggers, mean while, mustered just two solo homers to account for it's runs.

      Winning for the fourth time this year, Thomas was given a 3-0 lead when junior Ashley Guyle (2 for 2, two runs, three RBI's) hit a three run shot in the second.

      This was Guyle's first homer of the year but the 18^th of her career, tied for eighth most in Loper history.

      The lead then grew to 5-1 after UNK scored two runs after two were out in the fifth. Lincoln sophomore Alissa Larsen had an infield RBI single and then Larsen and Gaunt (2 for 4) pulled off a double steal, allowing Gaunt to score.    

      Among Mines' seven hits were solo homers from Sarah Van Lingen and Taylor Cayou.

      Weather permitting, UNK is at Wayne State Thursday and then travels all the way to New Mexico Highlands for games against the Cowgirls and Western New Mexico next weekend.

      Pictured below are Bell-Thomas-Gaunt.