Midway Softball ends season in NAIA Opening Round
By Midway Sports Information
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- The Midway University softball team opened play in their first-ever trip to the 2018 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round on Monday, May 14, at Michael O. Buchanon Park in Bowling Green.
Midway opened the tournament by taking on the No. 1 seed, Marian (Ind.). The Knights – who are ranked No. 3 in the country – handed the Eagles their first loss with a 9-1 defeat in five innings.
The loss meant Midway would face elimination later in the day when they took on the No. 2 seed, Corban (Ore.). Unfortunately for the Eagles, that is where their tournament run came to an end. The Warriors defeated the Eagles, 2-0, after scoring two in the top of the sixth.
The loss to No. 14 Corban University ends Midway's season in the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round. The Eagles finish 2018 with a 23-22 record overall in their third season under head coach, Tripp Swisher.
Game 1 – Marian 9, Midway 1
The Eagles found themselves behind the eight ball early on against Marian (48-5). The Knights scored four runs in the first two innings to take an 8-0 lead after two complete.
Midway's offense struggled as they were held without a hit for the first three innings. Their first and only hit came from Marissa Walker (Lawrenceburg, Ky.) by way of a leadoff infield single to open the fourth frame.
After a sacrifice bunt and a stolen base, Walker stood on third. Kelsey Gravens (Mt. Washington, Ky.) then grounded out to shortstop scoring Walker from second for Midway's only run.
The Knights added a run in the bottom of the fourth en route to the 9-1 victory in five innings.
Alyssa Yates (Georgetown, Ky.) was dealt with the loss for Midway. She started and pitched 1.1 innings allowing seven runs – six earned – on eight hits. Hannah Poynter (Louisville, Ky.) tossed the final 2.2 innings and allowed two runs on four hits.
Game 2 – Corban 2, Midway 0
Offense was at a premium in a win or go home game after each were dealt with a loss in their respective tournament openers. Each team would have their chances to score in the first five frames, but neither could push a run across thanks to some great defensive plays.
The Warriors (36-14) pushed a pair of runs across in the top of the sixth to take the 2-0 lead with just an inning and a half remaining.
Midway had two runners on in the fifth and seventh innings, but couldn't get the big hit when they needed as Corban squeaked by with the 2-0 victory to end Midway's season.
Hannah Poynter pitched well, but was ultimately dealt with the loss. The junior allowed two runs – one earned – on seven hits in a complete game performance.
Leading the way offensively was Carly Benz (Brooks, Ky.). The senior went 2-for-3 in her final collegiate game. Marissa Walker, Katelynn Mogelberg-Kauffman (Modesto, Calif.) and Kendall Horn (Lawrenceburg, Ky.) accounted for Midway's other three hits.