April 26, 2008

Softball Shuts Down Powerful Springs

Keck Homers for 9th Time

     Kearney, Neb. – Senior Amanda Bell threw a three hit complete game and freshman Cassie Keck hit a two run homer to help the Nebraska-Kearney softball beat Colorado-Colorado Springs, 6-1, Saturday afternoon at Dryden Park.

      In game two, senior Michelle Gaunt scored on a delayed steal in the first inning to give UNK a 1-0 lead.  Rain came in the second and the contest was suspended.

      This contest will resume play Sunday at 10:00 a.m., followed by the originally scheduled double header.

      Bell (Ft. Collins, Colo.), coming off a two hit complete game win at Chadron State Tuesday, kept the Mountain Lions (22-24, 15-20 RMAC) at bay all afternoon. Winning for the 10^th time this year, she fanned four and walked just one.

      Springs' came into today averaging 6.7 runs per game and ranking third in the league in home runs (55). For the moment, UNK (17-26, 16-21 RMAC) takes sole possession of ninth place in the RMAC standings. The top eight teams make the league tournament next weekend.

      The Lopers grabbed a 3-0 lead in the second inning when Blair sophomore Kelsey Smith led off with a double and came home on a single to center from Omaha sophomore Laura Gormley (2 for 3, two runs).

      Keck (2 for 3), a third baseman, followed with her team-leading ninth homer of the year, a shot that cleared the left field fence.

      An RBI ground out from Colorado junior Hannah Liming increased the lead in the third and then the Lopers added insurance runs in the fourth and sixth innings. Springs only run came in the fourth when Stacey Haney hit a homer to center field.

      Gaunt (McCook) joined Gormley and Keck as Lopers to go 2 for 3 in the game. In game two, she drew a lead off walk in the first and reached third after a single and a fielder's choice.

      With Smith on first, Gaunt waited for her to break for second before she scooted home to give UNK a lead.