NCMC splits “Sophomore Day” softball games with Crowder

The North Central Missouri College Lady Pirates picked up an important Region 16 victory, but then struggled to keep visiting Crowder College off the scoreboard in the second game, part of a Friday afternoon doubleheader at Mark Griffin Memorial Field in Trenton.

The Lady Pirates won the opener 6-4, with timely pitching from Jessica Stupar, and a three-run rally in the fifth inning playing key roles in the NCMC victory.  Courtney Seymour had three hits in three at-bats, scored twice, and stole a base for North Central.  Madi Trump had a home run and 3 RBI’s, while TeriAnna Mohler had 3 RBI’s for the Lady Pirates.  Stupar scattered seven hits over seven innings, giving up four runs (two earned) to improve to 13-9 on the season.

In Game 2, the Lady ‘Riders jumped on NCMC pitching early, scoring five runs in the second, and seven more in the third, part of a 17-10 road wein.  Down 12-1 after 2 1/2 innings, the Lady Pirates showed zero quit, cutting the lead to 12-7 after four innings, before the Crowder offense pulled away with 5 runs over the final 3 innings.

Bethany Jacobsen was the hitting star for North Central, with the Lawson native cracking two home runs, part of a 3 RBI game.  Ashley Walters had a pair of RBI’s, while McKinley Hurley scored twice, and stole two bases for NCMC.

Alison Hilsabeck suffered the loss, giving up 15 runs over 5 1/3 innings.  Crowder’s offense smacked five home runs against the North Central starter, as Hilsabeck’s record dipped to 12-3.  Bethany Jacobsen finished up with 1 2/3 innings out of the Lady Pirate bullpen.

Over the weekend, NCMC softball coach Megan Cairns announced that Tuesday’s scheduled games with Kansas City Kansas would not be played, due to lack of available players for KCK.

NCMC begins postseason play on Friday morning at 11 o’clock, taking on St. Charles in the first-round of the Region 16 tournament at Battle High School in Columbia.