Elsah, IL, 4/2/2022 – On a normal day in college softball a pitcher throwing a one hit shutout and another pitcher throwing a no hitter in the same double header would more than steal the show. Erin Carr (Woodlawn, Il / Christ Our Rock Lutheran) would hurl a five inning one hit shutout with nine strikeouts in game one and then Haley Miller (O'Fallon, MO / Liberty) would one up her by throwing a five inning no hitter while striking out ten batters in game two. Those are very impressive outings and worthy of high praise as the two held the Principia College Panthers scoreless in Saturday's conference opening double header. However, it would be the offense that would shine just as bright as the pitching as the Blue Jays would knock out 29 hits on the way to a 38-0 victory in game one and then bang out 33 hits on the way to the sweep in a 43-0 win in game two. There are no recorded team records for runs scored in a single game or hits in a single game but it is hard to believe that another performance exists like the two games played today. The sweep improves the Blue Jays record to 4-10 overall and 2-0 in SLIAC play.
Game One: Boxscore
In game one the Blue Jays would score 12 runs in the first inning, ten runs in the second inning, six runs in the third inning, five runs in the fourth inning, and five runs in the fifth inning resulting in the 38-0 five inning victory.
In the game two single game records were set and one record was tied. Carr, as well as pitching a gem, would break the single game record for at bats as she would come to the plate seven times in the game recording three hits. Laney Rosson (Columbia, MO / Battle) would tie the single game record with five hits in six at bats. She would also drive in six runs which is the second most RBI's in a single game in program history. Kasey Ginder (Kirkwood, Mo. / Kirkwood) would break the single game record for runs scored as she reached base six times and scored all six times she reached base.
In all, 12 different Blue Jays would record a hit in the game. Rosson led the way with a 5-6 performance with six RBI's and five runs scored. Raegen Dickinson (Ozark, MO / Ozark) followed going 4-6 with four RBI's and Four runs scored. Carr and Emily Esquivel (San Diego, Ca. / Eastlake) each recoded three hits. Raigan Mckee (Oologah, OK / Oologah), Summer Boswell (Wright City, Mo. / Wright City), Ginder, Abbey Jaspering (Wright City, Mo. / Wright City), Tatum Bradshaw (Winfield, MO / Winfield), and Kelsey Logan (Fulton, Mo / South Callaway) would all record two hits each. Esquivel, Dickinson and Carr each drove home four runs in the game. Esquivel, Rosson, Mckee, Ginder, Maddie Marrero (Columbia, Mo. / Rock Bridge), Bradshaw and Logan would each steal a base as the Jays ran all over the Panthers on the basepaths.
Game Two: Boxscore
Game two took off even faster for the Blue Jays as they would bring 27 batters to the plate in the first inning while scoring 21 runs. The rout was on. The Jays would add nine runs in both the second inning and third inning. They would score two runs in the fourth inning and two more runs in the fifth inning accounting for the 43-0 five inning victory. 13 Jays would record hits in the game.
Esquivel, Miller and Marrero would each equal Carr's record for at bats in a single game as they each would get seven at bats in game two. Esquivel, Rosson and Marrero would each equal Ginder's record of six runs scored set in game one.
Eva Gannon (Wentzville, Mo. / Holt) would lead the way for the Blue Jays going 4-5 with a team high five RBI's in game two. Esquivel, Rosson and Ginder joined Gannon with four hits each. Mckee, Dickinson and Marrero each recorded three hits. Janae Shirk (Springfield, Mo. / Pleasant Hope) and Miller would each record two hit games. Ginder would swipe two bases in game two to bring the Blue Jays to nine stolen bases in nine attempts on the day.
The Blue Jays will be back in action looking to keep their momentum on Wednesday April 6th when they will head down Westminster Avenue to take on our cross-town neighbors the William Woods University Owls in a road double header. The first game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. first pitch with game two to follow around 5:30 p.m.
