Softball Drops Two to Mavericks

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
MACOMB , Ill. - Western Illinois dropped a pair of conference games to Omaha on Friday (May 2). The Leathernecks lost 4-0 in the first game before falling 8-0 in five innings to end the day. With the losses, Western Illinois (18-25-1, 4-12) will be the No. 5 seed in the 2014 Summit League Softball Championships in Fargo, N.D. beginning May 7.

GAME ONE: WESTERN ILLINOIS 0, OMAHA 4:

Teagan Walsh worked back-to-back scoreless innings as the junior made her first start of the 2014 season. However in the third, the Mavericks utilized a two-out rally to plate a pair of runs.

Walsh and Maverick pitcher Dana Elsasser worked scoreless fourth innings before a solo home run in the top of the fifth increased the Maverick lead to 3-0.

Western Illinois appeared to gain momentum with back-to-back singles in the bottom half, but both runners were stranded on the basepaths.

Omaha scored an insurance run in the seventh, as Western Illinois locked themselves in to the No. 5 seed in the upcoming Summit League Tournament.

Sammy Marshall, Megg Kelly and Holly Hoeltingcollected the hits for Western. Walsh pitched a complete game, matching the longest outing of her career. The junior allowed four runs on eight hits, striking out one and walking two in the final frame.

GAME TWO: WESTERN ILLINOIS 0, OMAHA 8 (5 INNINGS):

A pair of solo home runs in the top of the first put the Mavericks in front early in Game Two. Western looked to respond in the bottom half as Sammy Marshall led off the inning with a double to center, but the Leathernecks were unable to cut into the deficit and trailed 2-0 after one inning.

After a scoreless second, the Mavericks scored six runs in the top of the third to take an 8-0 lead into the fourth inning.

The Leathernecks again threatened in the fourth putting the first two runners on board bothMegg KellyandLia Romeowould be left on base.

Marshall, Kelly and Karissa Kouchis recorded hits for the Leathernecks.

Kacyee Hart suffered the loss. The sophomore pitched three innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits. Kayla Kirkpatrick came on in relief; working the final six outs of the ballgame.

Western Illinois looks to bounce back as the 2014 regular season comes to a close on Saturday (May 3) with the series finale against Omaha. The single game scheduled for 12 p.m. also marks the final home game for Emma Jarrell, Bria Jones, Megg Kelly, Monica Rondón and Briana Williams.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Kacyee Hart: P/IF; 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R

#22 Bria Jones: UT; 5' 6"; Senior; R/R

#10 Sammy Marshall: SS; 5' 7"; Junior; L/R

#14 Emma Jarrell: IF; 5' 4"; Senior; R/R

#11 Megg Kelly: IF; 5' 2"; Senior; R/R

#20 Briana Williams: UT; 5' 3"; Senior; L/R

#8 Lia Romeo: C/IF; 5' 3"; Junior; R/R

#6 Teagan Walsh: P/UT; 5' 11"; Junior; R/R

#24 Kayla Kirkpatrick: P; 5' 8"; Junior; R/R

#34 Holly Hoelting: P/UT; 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R

#25 Karissa Kouchis: OF; 4' 11"; Sophomore; L/R

Players Mentioned

#7 Kacyee Hart
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R
: P/IF

#22 Bria Jones
: 5' 6"; Senior; R/R
: UT

#10 Sammy Marshall
: 5' 7"; Junior; L/R
: SS

#14 Emma Jarrell
: 5' 4"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#11 Megg Kelly
: 5' 2"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#20 Briana Williams
: 5' 3"; Senior; L/R
: UT

#8 Lia Romeo
: 5' 3"; Junior; R/R
: C/IF

#6 Teagan Walsh
: 5' 11"; Junior; R/R
: P/UT

#24 Kayla Kirkpatrick
: 5' 8"; Junior; R/R
: P

#34 Holly Hoelting
: 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R
: P/UT

#25 Karissa Kouchis
: 4' 11"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF