MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. –
Ashton Farnell's RBI single in the bottom of the eighth gave the Mississippi University for Women a, 4-3, come-from-behind win against Keene State (0-1), as MUW split its spring break games on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the Owls (10-6) lost a tough 2-1 decision versus Muhlenberg College (9-2).
The W gave the strong Muhlenberg team – which completed its games in Myrtle Beach with an 8-0 record – all it could handle, especially considering the Mules' numbers heading into its matchup with MUW. MC had outscored its seven previous foes by a combined 76-3 score, including five wins by shutout.
Avery Byerley (1-2) had a good effort from the circle, despite taking the loss. Byerley shut down Muhlenberg for the first four frames. The stubborn Mules manufactured a pair of runs in the fifth for all they would need.
The W got its lone run in the sixth. An RBI ground out by
Riley Phillips (1-3) plated
Taylor Palmer (1-3) to make it 2-1.
The resilient MUW squad made a last-gasp effort n the bottom of the seventh. With two out,
Brooklyn Wood (2-3) singled and Farnell, pinch hitting for
Lilly Harrison (0-1), was hit by a pitch. That put the potential tying and winning runs on base for
Emilee Slade (0-3), who struck out swinging to end the game.
In the nightcap, it was a regular parliament of Owls in the extra-inning victory versus Keene State in the shared-nickname game (more easily defined as blue Owls and red Owls on the field). Whatever one's chromatic preference, it ended up being a tremendous effort by both clubs.
MUW tallied in the first inning thanks to an RBI single off the bat of
Maiya Joe (2-4), that drove in Phillips. That stood up until the fourth inning when KSU pushed across two runs in what was a strong pitcher's duel between The W's
Reagan Newell (the winning pitcher, 1-0) – making her first appearance from the circle for The W – and Keene State's Lilah Demmy (0-1).
For the second time in the day, The W found itself trying to rally from a 2-1 deficit. But this time the Owls in blue came through with flying colors. With Harrison (3-3) on third, Phillips (0-3) executed a perfect squeeze bunt as Harrison slid home - and avoided the tag - to send the contest into extra innings.
With a placed runner at second in the international tie-breaker, KSU was able to get a run home to put the pressure squarely MUW's shoulders in the bottom of the eighth, trailing 3-2.
With Joe scheduled to be MUW's placed runner, The W head coach Becca Oldham instead took a gamble and subbed in the speedy Slade for Joe.
Alysa Newman (0-4) reached on a fielding error at shortstop, with Slade remaining at second.
With one out, Newell (1-4) helped her own cause by smacking a single to left that easily scored Slade to knot the game at 3-3, with Newman - representing the winning run - taking third. Farnell (1-4) followed by dunking in a bloop single to right-centerfield to drive in Newman and set off the celebration from the MUW dugout, 4-3.
The W will close out its slate of spring break games on Friday with a pair of contests, beginning at 8 a.m. (CT) versus Gwynedd Mercy University and a 12:30 p.m. (CT) capper against the University of Scranton.
