Skip To Main Content

Bailey McKittrick

Softball 4/30/2021 4:14:00 PM

Bronchos Edge UNK In Opener

EDMOND (April 30) – Bailey McKittrick's clutch pitching performance and a pair of Jacee Minter RBI carried Central Oklahoma to a 5-3 first-game triumph over Nebraska-Kearney Friday afternoon.

McKittrick threw three shutout innings in relief to close out the narrow win, while Minter hit a solo home run and added a sacrifice fly as UCO's offense struggled to produce in prime scoring situations.

The No. 13 Bronchos left 13 runners on base – including 10 in scoring position – in earning their 20th straight home win. UCO improved to 30-9 on the season and 19-4 in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play.

Central stranded two runners in scoring position in the first, second, third, fourth and sixth innings.

"We put a lot of runners on base, but we sure didn't do a very good job of bringing them in," head coach Cody White said. "We can't continue to do that. Bailey came in and did a great job for us."

Central finished with 20 hits, getting two each from Hazel Puempel, Lexy Dobson, Allie Eicher and Brighton Gilbert.

UNK broke on top 1-0 in the top of the second inning, with the Bronchos coming back to score four in the bottom of that frame to move in front.

Eicher got things going with a lead-off single to right field, Amelya Huggins walked and reached on a bunt single to load the bases with no outs.

The Lopers got a force-out at home on a fielder's choice grounder that left the bases full, then Shayla Harper drew a walk to force in UCO's first run. Minter put the Bronchos on top with a sacrifice fly, Puempel added an RBI single up the middle and Taylor McKittrick was hit by pitch to drive in another run.

UNK scored twice in the third to pull within 4-3 and it stayed that way until the fifth when Minter belted a two-out solo homer. The freshman slugger powered the first pitch she saw off the top of the fence in left-center field for her 11th dinger of the season.

That made it 5-3 and B. McKittrick made sure it stayed that way. The sophomore right-hander allowed just one hit in the final three innings while striking out two in earning her first save of the season.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Amelya Huggins

#25 Amelya Huggins: IF/C; 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

Shayla Harper

#11 Shayla Harper: IF; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

Taylor McKittrick

#23 Taylor McKittrick: IF; 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

Amelya Huggins

#25 Amelya Huggins
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF/C

Shayla Harper

#11 Shayla Harper
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

Taylor McKittrick

#23 Taylor McKittrick
: 5' 6"; Freshman; R/R
: IF