Lady Coyotes sweep Friends in home opener
By: David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

Megan Duchene comes in to score after hitting the decisive home run in the fourth inning

Kansas Wesleyan opened the home portion of its softball schedule with a pair of 1-0 wins over pre-season conference favorite Friends on Wednesday evening at Bill Burke Park.

Both games were pitching battles as the Lady Coyotes allowed only four hits and Friends gave up only seven hits and two runs.

In game one, Wesleyan pitcher Ashley Coker struck out the side in the top of the first before the Lady Coyotes scored the only run of the game in the bottom half of the inning. Gabby White would score after walking on an error by Falcon left fielder Brandi Leeker, who dropped a fly ball by Megan Duchene. Michelle Webster would ground out to third to end the inning.

Wesleyan had another opportunity to add runs in the bottom of the second, as the Lady Coyotes would load the bases on a walk by Kristine Hill following two singles by Carlsie Eichenberger and Tara Earley, but the inning would end on a strikeout.

Friends’ best chance to even the score came in the fourth as pitcher Megan VinZant would triple to lead off, but would be stranded at third. After a lineout and a strikeout, Emily Ptacek would be called out for interference when Bobbi McCarty’s grounder would hit her as she was advancing to third on the play.

Stephanie Jaime would pop out to first base to end game one.

Ashley Coker would pick up the win in game one, going the distance giving up three hits, while walking three and striking out 11. VinZant would take the loss for the Falcons, pitching six innings, giving up one run on two hits, while walking three and striking out seven. Eichenberger and Earley each had hits for the Lady Coyotes in the first game.

Duchene would provide all the offense the Lady Coyotes would need in game two as she hit a line drive homerun to left center on the first pitch of the frame.

Wesleyan pitcher Jamie Peat was the star of the game, taking a no-hitter through six and a third innings before VinZant would single on a rocket shot through the hole at short in the top of the seventh.

McCarty was the Falcon’s only other base runner in game two, reaching on a walk in the fourth inning.

The Lady Coyotes (9-2, 2-0) had another chance to add runs in the bottom of the sixth. Duchene walked and Coker would single with one out giving the Lady Coyotes two base runners. Webster would sacrifice to advance the runners before a strikeout would end the inning.

McCarty would ground out to first to open the Friends (5-4, 0-2) seventh before VinZant’s single.

Peat would not allow a Friends player past second base in the second game. She allowed only one hit and one walk in seven innings of work, while striking out seven. Five different Lady Coyotes would have a hit.

Leeker would take the loss for Friends in game two, giving up one run on five hits, walking two and striking out seven.

Wesleyan is back in action this weekend at the Pittsburg State Tournament in Pittsburg.

-- KWU SI --