Box Score (Game 1)
Box Score (Game 2)
LAWTON, Okla. – On a hot, dry day, the Cameron Aggies softball team (22-23-1, 6-8 LSC North) split a twinbill with Lone Star Conference foe Northeastern State (17-25, 5-9 LSC North) in a crucial late season series.
The Aggies got the best of the Riverhawks in what was a game one pitchers duel, coming out on the winning side 2-1 behind a Meca Chambers’ shot up the middle.
In the second game, the Aggies fell 7-6 late after rallying back from a 6-0 deficit.
NSU got its lone run in the first game in the second inning as Kelsi Hilderbrandt roped a double down the left field line to get on base. Lisa Ripperger then doubled in Hilderbrandt to make it 1-0. Ripperger came around third on a single two batters later but was gunned down at the plate by CU left fielder Kelly Lentz.
In the sixth, Lentz got on with a single at the shortstop and moved to second on a Drew Wright single. With runners at first and second, Amanda Karth managed to keep the ball on the right side of the infield to allow Wright and Lentz just enough time to advance.
With two outs, Chambers ripped a shot up the middle of the infield and the ball was booted out into center field by the short stop Shelbi Bowin, allowing the two winning runs to score.
Carrie Harvey picked up the win, her 15th of the season, on a seven inning, complete game performance. Harvey also struck out five batters as a part of CU’s “Strike-Out Cancer” promotion, benefitting the American Cancer Society.
Cayce Coleman was tagged with the loss after working six innings while allowing two runs (none earned) and four hits. She struck out six batters and did not issue a free pass.
In game two, the Riverhawks jumped out to a 6-0 lead with three runs in both the third and fifth inning. The fifth was highlighted for NSU by a two-run homer from Ripperger.
The Aggies began their rally in the fifth as they posted four runs on four hits behind a Wright two RBI single up the middle.
Down 6-4, the Black and Gold knotted it up in the sixth as Jessica Orr singled up the middle to drive in Brittany Elkins and Kelsy Hebert.
In the top of the seventh, with runners on the corners, Hilderbrandt squeezed a single into shallow center field to score Coleman and give the Riverhawks the lead.
The Aggies threatened to score again in the bottom of the frame but stranded a runner on second to end the game.
Harvey (15-12 was tagged with the loss after coming on in relief of the starter, Hebert. Harvey worked four innings and allowing four runs while striking out six and scattering six hits. Hebert worked to the no decision on three innings of work, allowing three runs (none earned) and six hits.
Coleman (10-12) worked the final 1.2 innings to earn the victory. She allowed just two hits and no runs in relief of the starter, Kylee McKinney.
The two teams will finish out the series tomorrow at Noon on Cameron Field.
