Western softball takes one of two at home versus Northwest

By Ryan Heldenbrand

The Missouri Western softball team faced off against the rival Northwest Missouri Bearcats on Tuesday. The cloudy, rainy weather was about the right setting for the game.

The game started out with promise when Lindsey Predovich hit a long double to center field that drove in one run. She then scored later in the inning for the team to take the lead 2-0.

However, that was the end of exciting action in that game until the sixth inning came around. Lindsey Predovich was pitching for Western and was striking batters out, as well
as walking several. She only gave up four hits in the game but offset that by giving up six walks.

The offense was spread out throughout the team, but third basemen Amanda Nocita had a standout performance. She had one run with two hits, and she also had a key play late in the game defensively.

When the sixth inning rolled around, the action began to heat up as both pitchers began to fatigue. With one out, Predovich gave up a long hit to left that drove in a run and brought the Bearcats within one run.

With a runner in scoring position, the Bearcats smacked a hard grounder to third base, which was stabbed by Nocita. who threw the Bearcat out at first. Predovich then struck out the next batter to end the inning and get out of a jam.

The Griffons loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth and had a great opportunity to extend the lead. Kelsey Wells hit a line drive destined for the outfield when the second basemen made a diving catch and a double play to end the inning.

The Bearcats had runners on base in the seventh until Predovich struck out the final batter to end the game.

The game on paper was a defensive struggle. However, it was more of just a poor offensive performance by both teams. The Griffons did not play as well as they wanted to, but a win is a win.

They lost the second half of the double header 1-0.