Yellowjackets, Cougars win on thrilling second day of UMAC softball tournament

Yellowjackets, Cougars win on thrilling second day of UMAC softball tournament

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DULUTH, Minn.---The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) softball four-team elimination tournament was full of action Friday as No. 5 University of Minnesota Morris upset No. 2 University of Northwestern-St. Paul to remain alive, while No. 3 University of Wisconsin-Superior used 11 innings to defeat No. 1 College of St. Scholastica 1-0 to advance to the championship.

With the win, Minnesota Morris will face the Saints in an elimination game set for 12 p.m. Saturday after the game was moved due to a weather delay during the second game of the day. Wisconsin-Superior will then face the winner of the elimination game at 2 p.m.

Tournament Site | Game Three | Game Four |

No. 5 Minnesota Morris defeats No. 2 Northwestern, 4-2
The game started out rocky for Minnesota Morris as they allowed the Eagles to go up 1-0 in the first inning after loading the bases and walking in a run. The Cougars responded, though, in the top of the third scoring three runs on a stolen base, an RBI from Lacey Sullivan and an error from the Eagles to take a 3-1 lead. 

The Cougars added to their lead making it 3-0 in the fourth scoring on another error from the Eagles. However, the Eagles appeared they might mount a comeback in the bottom of the fifth when they used three-consecutive hits including a RBI from Colleen Feldheim to cut the Cougar lead in half. 

After being shutout in the sixth, the Eagles threatened in the bottom of the seventh with the game-tying run on base. However, they couldn't close it out as the Cougars emerged victorious to remain alive in tournament play. The Eagles end their season 20-22, while the Cougars move on to play No. 1 St. Scholastica Saturday. 

Sullivan and Autumn Mahoney again led the Cougars at the plate in their first game of the day as both recorded two hits a piece aand scored once. Elli Stevenson and Alex Anderson each picked up a hit and scored one run each. Erin Kvam earned the complete game win as she allowed just one earned run and struck out three batters. 

For the Eagles, Jennifer Ankrom went 3-for-4 at the plate while Ellen larking was 2-for-2 with a walk and a sacrifice. Feldheim recorded the Eagles' two RBI while Ann Lokke scored both of the team's runs. Lauren Silbernick took the loss allowing three earned runs on seven hits in four innings pitched. 

No. 3 Wisconsin-Superior defeats No. 1 St. Scholastica, 1-0 (11 inn.)
After combining for 12 runs on the opening day, scoring was nowhere to be found in the matchup between the winning teams from Friday. Wisconsin-Superior and St. Scholastica each picked up a hit in the first inning, But that was all the offense that occured until the Yellowjackets came up with two hits in the top up the eighth and the Saints had one in the bottom with both coming up empty handed. 

The stingy defense continued until the top of the 11th when the Yellowjackets used a pair of hits from Sasha Fjeran and Brittany Thomfordha to plate a run taking a 1-0 lead and forcing the Saints to find some offense. Rendi Johnson and Marjaana Dailey each recorded hits, but the Yellowjackets managed to hold to come up with the win to advance to the championship games. 

In a pitchers' battle, the Yellowjackets got huge performances from both Macy Hanson and Sarah Hendrickson. Hanson threw six innings surrendering just one hit and striking out two. Hendrickson picked up the win with five innings of work allowing three hits and striking out one batter. For the Saints, Chrisi Mizera pitched all 11 innings giving up just one run on five hits and striking out seven innings. 

At the plate, Ciarra Taipale, Shelly Misco and Gabby Gidley also had hits for the Yellowjackets, while Maggie Schley and Hannah Borgeson each added a hit to the offensive effort for the Saints.

The No. 1 Saints will face No. 5 Minnesota Morris Saturday in an elimination game at 12 p.m. The winner will move on face No. 3 Wisconsin-Superior for a shot at the title. 

All tournament information including scores, recaps, team information and more can be found on the UMAC Softball Playoffs page. Keep up with all of the tournament action on Twitter and Instagram using #UMACchamp.

Playoff Schedule
Quarterfinals – Tuesday, May 3
No. 5 Minnesota Morris defeats No. 4 Crown, 11-8 | Box Score | CC Recap | UMM Recap |

Tournament Day One – Thursday, May 5; Duluth, Minn.
Game 1 – No. 3 Wisconsin-Superior defeats No. 2 Northwestern, 7-6 (8 inn.) | Box Score | UNW Recap | UWS Recap |
Game 2 – No. 1 St. Scholastica defeats No. 5 Minnesota Morris, 5-1 | Box Score | CSS Recap | UMM Recap |
 
Tournament Day Two – Friday, May 6; Duluth, Minn.
Game 3 – No. 5 Minnesota Morris defeats No. 2 Northwestern, 4-2 | Box Score | UMM Recap | UNW Recap |
Game 4 – No. 3 Wisconsin-Superior defeats No. 1 St. Scholastica, 1-0 (11 inn.) | Box Score | CSS Recap | UWS Recap |
 
Tournament Day Three – Saturday, May 7; Duluth, Minn.
*Game 5 – Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4, 12 p.m. 
*Game 6 – Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5, 2 p.m. | Live Broadcast |

Tournament Day Four – Saturday, May 8; Duluth, Minn.
*Game 7 – (If Necessary) Same teams as Game 6, 12 p.m. | Live Broadcast |
* Note schedule changes due to weather.  

Event Information
The UMAC four-team tournament has the following set admissions prices: Single Day Adult Ticket, $10; Single Day Student/Senior Ticket - $5; Adult Tournament Pass, $15; Student/Senior Tournament Pass, $7. All UMAC students, staff and faculty are FREE with valid institution ID to all games. No other passes will be accepted.
  
All tournament information including scores, recaps, team information and more can be found on the UMAC Softball Playoffs page. Keep up with all of the tournament action on Twitter and Instagram using #UMACchamp.
 
2016 Tournament Page