UCM (15-11) scored first in the bottom of the second with runners on the corners and one out. Pinch-runner Brittany Knabe swiped second base, allowing Lauren Mabe to advance home on the throw by the catcher.
In the bottom of the third, Alex Groeger reached on a single and would score four batters later on a groundout to second by Mabe to push the Jennies’ lead to 2-0.
Northern State cut the deficit in half at 2-1 in the top of the fifth on a sacrifice bunt by Jessica Vernon with runners on second and third.
UCM starting pitcher Katie Shockley earned the victory, improving to 5-1 on the season. The junior pitched a complete game, her fifth on the season, and allowed one run (earned) on three hits, while fanning eight hitters. Freshman infielder Lindsey Dawson went 2-for-3, the only Jennie with a multi-hit performance.
In game two against Concordia St. Paul, the Golden Bears’ Navarae Honoroff drove in two runs on a two-out single to center.
In the bottom of the third, Jessica Neely led the inning off with a double and advanced to third on a groundball to first by Emily King. Alex Leonhart hit a hard grounder that ate up the Concordia St. Paul shortstop, allowing Neely to come across home plate.
The Jennies’ offense came up with five runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth, sending eight batters to the plate. King, Leonhart and Prater each drove in a run, while Amanda Nally scored from third when the shortstop covering the bag on a steal attempt by Neely air-mailed the throw over the catcher’s head in attempt to throw out Nally at home.
Prater (10-5) finished off the Golden Bears in the seventh to earn her third complete game on the season. She allowed two runs (both earned) on four hits and struck out five hitters.
The Jennies will come home for a six-game homestand from Wednesday through Saturday. They will host Drury in a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Wednesday and host Northeastern State in a 4 p.m. double-dip on Friday. They close the weekend out with a doubleheader against Central Oklahoma at 1 p.m. Saturday.
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