The Southwest Minnesota State softball team fell for the first time this season, going 0-2 on Tuesday at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. The Mustangs were unable to score any runs on the day, falling 2-0 to Ashland (Ohio) in Game 1 and losing 2-0 to Holy Family (Pa.).
In the first game, Ashland pitcher Emlyn Knerem struck out nine for the complete-game victory. Knerem is 5-0 on the season, moving Ashland to a 7-2 record. SMSU's Rachel Hoeppner got pinned with the loss, giving up four hits and two runs in three innings.
With two runners stranded on base, the Mustangs got their only hits from Kris Penick and Chelsey Rodenkirch.
Against Holy Family, SMSU was able to manage more offense with six hits, but the team hit into three double plays in the loss.
In the bottom of the first inning, Holy Family's Bianca Robinson scored the game's first run on a sacrifice bunt, and Lindsey Iden drove in another run on an RBI single.
The Mustangs' Kasey Eichten got the loss in her first career start, going 2 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and two unearned runs.
Penick and Krista Steen led SMSU with two hits each, while Amy Dreessen and Katelyn Kalkman also notched hits.
The Mustangs take today off, before returning to play in the Rebel Spring Games on Thursday, facing Ferris State (Mich.) and Holy Family.
| Game 1 | |
| Ashland | 011 000 0—2 5 0 |
| SMSU | 000 000 0—0 2 0 |
| A-Emlyn Knerem; SMSU-Rachel Hoeppner, Chelsey Evans (4). WP-Knerem. LP-Hoeppner. 2B: A-Franki Gironda, Taylor Menhart, Jerrica Young. LOB: A-8; SMSU-2. | |
| Game 2 | |
| SMSU | 000 000 0—0 6 3 |
| Holy Family | 200 000 X—2 6 2 |
| SMSU-Kasey Eichten, Chelsey Evans (3); HF-Victoria Reuscher. WP-Reuscher. LP-Eichten. LOB: SMSU-4; HF-5. |