CLINTON, SC --The Morehead State softball team took an early lead and made it hold up as they finished off a 2-0 day at the Pinnacle PC Invitational with a 4-2 triumph over Youngstown State.
Sophomore right-hander Jessie Begley (1-0) got the win for Morehead State (3-1). She went 6.2 innings, giving up two runs, zero earned, on four hits, allowing two walks and striking out three. Freshman Addie Stem came on to get the final out as MSU led by two and collected her first career save.
"We scored first with Trinity (Spear) getting a walk. Sela (Pickford) executed a bunt to move her over and Darlene (Momtoya) drove her in with a double. We battled through making some adjustments for a few innings but then broke it open in the fifth and sixth," coach Megan Griffith said. "(Our) defense held Youngstown scoreless until a little action in the seventh. (The) defense played very well behind Jessie and she really utilized them well. Jessie gave up only four hits in that game."
In the batter's box, the Eagles were paced by junior Darlene Montoya, who went 2-for-4 on the day with two doubles and three RBI. Trinity Spear put together a standout day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Freshman Sela Pickford also stood out, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a double.
"Today, I had a mindset of just leaving it all out on the field today. I wanted to give every rep 110%, whatever it took to get my team ahead on the board," Montoya said. "I was seeing the ball very well and I used that to my advantage to drive the ball anywhere it was pitched. I wasn't waiting to find something to hit only because I knew they weren't going to walk me, so I was ready to drive any pitch in the zone. My goal was to attack early and to swing hard but with control. All in all, I was having so much fun with my team, i felt it, I saw it, and it was awesome. I trusted my team and we trusted each other which made it fun, and i strongly believe that was a key factor to our wins today. It was fun."
Griffith was pleased how her team responded from Friday's initial struggles.
"Overall we played like ourselves today. It was great to see veterans and rookies settling in together and playing well," she said. "Darlene Montoya was hot at the plate in both games and drove in several runs for us today. Addie Stem did a great job in circle game one and Jessie did very well game two. Addie came in relief for the last out of game two and got a soft line back to her for the last out. Trinity Spear also had two strong games at the plate today and was a threat on the bases. Defense really held us down and made some wonderful plays in both games. All in all two great team wins."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Morehead State got on the board thanks to Montoya's RBI double with two outs.
The Eagles then held the Penguins scoreless before expanding their lead in the fifth inning. Morehead State pushed two runs across on a two-run double off the bat of Montoya that brought home Spear and Pickford, which brought the Eagles' lead to 3-0.
MSU expanded its lead to 4-0 the following inning. The Eagles scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Trinity Spear to score Kendra Lewis . Youngstown State put two runs on the scoreboard in the seventh and had the tying runs on second and third, but Stem coaxed a liner to herself to seal the win.
GAME NOTES
» The Eagles' power output was led by Montoya, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Morehead State's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Morehead State grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Eagles out-hit the Penguins at an 8-4 clip.
» Morehead State pitchers limited Youngstown State to just 1-for-9 (.111) with runners in scoring position.
» Eagle pitchers faced 29 Youngstown State hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out three.
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UP NEXT
MSU concludes its weekend against Presbyterian on Sunday at 12:15 p.m. ET.
