The Johnson State College Softball team hosted the Husson University Eagles in their final regular season game on the season on April 29th at Minaert Fields. The Eagles swept the Badgers taking the first game, which was halted due to weather on April 13th, 23-0 and the second game 17-1.
Game 1: Husson 23 JSC 0
Defense played a huge part in the win for the Eagles. Kayla Merrill pitched five innings allowing only one hit on the day. Merrill only struck out two batters but her defense played strong and helped the Eagles keep the Badgers scoreless.
Ball control proved to be an issue for the Badgers as they walked five batters bringing in 10 runs in the first inning. Lyndsay Merrill had a pair of hits while driving in three runs to help lead the charge in the first inning.
The Badgers were able to settle down defensively over the next two innings, only allowing two runs off of four hits. However, they could never get their bats going thanks to the strong pitching of Merrill, backed by the Eagles stout defense.
The Eagles got their bats going again in the top of the fourth scoring nine runs off of five hits. Merrill helped her own cause in the inning by driving in four runs off of her two hits, including a three run homer to spark the inning. The Badgers continued their batting woes in the fourth going one, two, three to end the inning.
The Badgers were able to get through the top of the fifth allowing only one hit and one run.
Merrill had a great day, pitching a complete game for the win as well as going four for four with a game high six RBIs. Kelsey Taylor notched the lone hit for the Badgers in the bottom of the second inning.
Game 2: Husson 17 JSC 1
The Eagles again proved to be too much for the Badgers to handle in game two as the Eagles showed up strong both offensively and defensively. Alannah Healy would get the start for the Eagles and pitch a complete game allowing only two hits and one run, as the defense stayed dominate behind her.
The Badgers started the game off strong allowing only one run in the top of the first inning. However, they could not capitalize with their bats as they continued to hit the ball right to the opposition, going three up and three down.
The Eagles bats caught fire scoring 5 runs in the second and 6 runs in the third. Kayla Merrill again led the way for the Eagles getting five RBIs and notching a pair of hits, including another three run homer in the top of the third. Lyndsay Merrill also contributed with a three run homer of her own in the top of the second. The Eagles were able to keep the Badgers at bay through their hot streak by keeping them both hitless and scoreless.
Johnson held Husson off in the fourth with strong defense by the Badgers. Sarah Voorhis led the bottom of the fourth off with a single, after Amanda Coulombe walked, the Badgers were finally able to get on the board off the bat of Kristy McDonnell that drove in Voorhis. That would be the only run that Johnson earned on the day.
In the fifth inning the Eagles regained their hot streak scoring five runs, which was led by Haley Spiers who drove in two runs of her double. The Badgers took to the bats one last time but were quickly put away with another strong showing by the Eagles Defense.
Kayla Merrill again led the Eagles with three hits and a game high five RBIs to help complete the sweep of the Badgers. Kristy McDonnell led the Badgers with the loan RBI on the day.
Johnson will face Husson again in round one of the NAC playoff tournament on Friday, May 2nd.