MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris softball (13-13, 4-4 UMAC) split a doubleheader against Martin Luther (7-11, 3-3 UMAC) on Tuesday. The Cougars took game one by a score of 11-7 before falling 18-16 in nine innings in game two.
For the Cougar offense in the first game, Lydia Mann and Michelle O'Rouke both tallied three RBI. Seven Cougars recorded at least one RBI in game two, including five RBI by Mann.
Game One Recap
The Cougar offense tallied the first run of the afternoon on a Marissa Allen single in the bottom of the first to make it 1-0.
Martin Luther then tied things up in the top of the second, but the Cougars took back the lead with a run in the bottom of the second. After Martin Luther scored twice in the top of the third, Minnesota Morris tacked another two runs.
After a scoreless half inning for Martin Luther, the Cougar offense opened up the game with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to make it an 8-3 contest.
The Knights cut into the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth, but the Cougars responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Trailing 11-5 heading into the top of the seventh, Martin Luther plated two runs and the Cougars were able to hold off the Vikings for the 11-7 win.
Game Two Recap
Neither offense slowed down in game two with the Cougars responding to the Knights almost each time.
Martin Luther opened the game with three runs in the top of the first, which was followed by a Cougar run in the home half of the inning.
The fourth inning saw Martin Luther score three times, but the Cougars responded with four runs.
In the sixth, the two teams combined for 17 runs as Martin Luther scored nine and the Cougars scored eight times.
After Martin Luther added a run in the top of the seventh, the Cougars tied things up at 16-16 with three runs of their own sending the game into extra innings.
Neither team was able to plate home a run in the eighth sending the game to the ninth inning. Martin Luther tallied a pair of runs and the Cougars weren't able to counter giving the Vikings the 18-16 victory.
The Cougars now head to Duluth, Minnesota, to take on St. Scholastica on Saturday, April 13. The doubleheader gets underway at 1 p.m.