Springfield, Mo. – The Central Christian College softball team picked up three important road wins, sweeping Mission University (formerly Baptist Bible College), on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Tigers got off to a great start, winning game one 5-2. The Tigers were actually outhit 11-10 by the Patriots, but the Tigers were able to do more damage with runners on base. The Tigers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, then made it 3-0 with a solo run in the top of the third. Mission got on the board in the bottom of the third, but a half inning later the Tigers put up two more to stretch the lead to 5-1. The Patriots tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh, but the Tiger defense was able to hold them to just one run, making the final score 5-2.

In game two, the Tigers used two big innings to take the night cap 11-2. In the Top of the third, the Tigers broke the game wide open, batting through the order, and finishing the inning with a five spot. After the Patriots put up one in their half of the fourth, the Tigers responded by batting around the order again in the top of the fifth, this time putting up six runs. The
Patriots were only able to put up one run in their half of the fifth so the game ended via the run rule.

The two teams got together again on Wednesday. They were originally scheduled for another double header starting at 11:00 am, but the temps were too low for the 11:00 game so the coaches decided on just one game starting at 1:00. In game three, it was the Patriots who were in control at the beginning. They jumped on the Tigers, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first and one more in the second to jump out to a 5-0 lead. The Tigers shook off the sluggish start with three runs in the top of the third. In the top of the sixth, they put up three more, and took their first lead of the game 6-6. The Patriots tied the game in their next at bat, but the Tigers responded with three in the top of the seventh to retake the lead 9-6. The Tiger defense held in the bottom of the seventh, shutting out the Patriots and preserving the win.

Game 1: W, 5-2

Hitting: The Tigers scored five runs on ten hits, one a double by Destiny Holt.  Three Tigers recorded multiple hits led by Holt who was a perfect 3 of 3 from the dish.

Pitching: Kayla Voss picked up the win in the circle for the Tigers. She went five strong innings, allowing just one run on nine hits with two strikeouts and no walks. Chelsie Hirtler come on in relief of Voss and pitched the final two innings. She finished with one run on two hits with one strikeout and no walks.

Leaders

Hits:                                    Destiny Holt (3)
Doubles:                             Destiny Holt (1)
Triples:                                none
Homeruns:                        none
RBI:                                      Destiny Holt, Payton Rice (2)
Stolen Bases:                    Three Tigers (1)
Strikeouts Pitching:        Kayla Voss (2)

Game 2: W, 11-2 (5 inn.)

Hitting: The Tigers scored 11 runs nine hits, all nine going of the single base variety. Eight different Tiger batters recorded a hit, led again by Holt who was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI.

Pitching: After closing out game one, Hirtler was given the ball to start game two. Threw a gem, allowing just one unearned run on two hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Madalyn Griffin came out of the pen to mop up the fifth. She gave up one run on one hit and had one walk.

Leaders

Hits:                                    Destiny Holt (2)
Doubles:                             none
Triples:                                none
Homeruns:                        none
RBI:                                      Destiny Holt, Mariah Garcia, Paige Major (2)
Stolen Bases:                    Camryn Frick, (2)
Strikeouts Pitching:        Chelsie Hirtler (2)

Game 3: W, 9-6

Hitting: The Tigers put on a hitting clinic in game three. They finished with 14 hits, three of them doubles, resulting in nine runs. Eight Tigers again recorded a hit, led by Camryn Frick and Miranda Tegtmeier who each had three.

Pitching: Sara Lynch got the ball in game three. She worked just one inning allowing five runs on four hits with one strikeout and three walks. Griffin came in out of the pen, and worked the final six innings, picking up the win. She finished with one run on five hits with one strikeout and no walks.

Leaders

Hits:                                    Camryn Frick, Miranda Tegtmeier (3)
Doubles:                             Abby Schleisman, Halee Wallin, Amberly Barrera (1)
Triples:                                none
Homeruns:                        none
RBI:                                      Abby Schleisman, Miranda Tegtmeier (2)
Stolen Bases:                    none
Strikeouts Pitching:        Sara Lynch, Madalyn Griffin (1)

Coaches Quote:

"Got a combined effort across all three phases.  It is hard to sweep teams at their place but we had timely hitting and timely pitching to get us there." – Coach Balbin
 
Next Up: The Tigers (7-8) are off until March 8 & 9 when they resume SAC conference play, going on the road to take on the Southwestern Christian University Eagles.