PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (Softball) – Shawnee State started off in a hole after surrendering five runs in the first inning of game one and this proved to be the difference, as the Bears lost 8-2 versus the University of Rio Grande on Thursday afternoon.. Game two featured a similar line after Rio Grande scored five in inning number two on the way to an 8-3 victory for the RedStorm at Boone Coleman Field.
The Bears were unable to put together offense against Rio Grande's elite pitching staff. The starter in game one was Jenna Jones, who entered with a record of 13-0. Jones went five innings allowing only one hit and recording two strikeouts. In game two for Shawnee State's Heidi Hall (JR/Greenwich, Ohio) and Miranda Melvin (JR/Oak Hill, Ohio) were both 1-for-3 with an RBI each.
Game One
In game one the RedStorm made the most of early opportunities, scoring five runs in inning number one and one run in inning number three. Through only three innings of play the Bears were already trailing by a score of 6-0.
Shawnee State continued to be shut out until their final at-bat, where they were able to put together two runs, thanks some opportunistic base running from Kendal Search, who scored on a wild pitch and an RBI from Katlyn Gleich (FR/Grove City, Ohio) to cut into the deficit, but the rally ended there. Shawnee State dropped game one 8-2.
Game Two
In a performance that nearly mirrored game number one, Rio Grande scored five runs once again, but this time in inning number two. Shawnee State's offense came to life early in this one, scoring two runs in their half of the inning on an RBI single from Morgan McReynolds (SO/Covington, Ohio) and a heads up play by Hall, who stole home. Rio followed this inning with a two run inning of their own. In the bottom half of inning number three, Shawnee State scored once again, this time on an RBI single from Melvin. At the end of the third inning, Shawnee State was losing, 7-3
The final four frames proved uneventful for the Bears, Rio Grande scored in the sixth inning, but Shawnee State was held scoreless. The final score of game number two was 8-3, as SSU lost game two of the two game series.
Shawnee State will play Friday, taking on conference opponent Saint Catharine College. The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Salt River Electric Field.
