Panthers split GLVC opener with Truman State

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Drury was an out away from a doubleheader sweep of Truman State in their Great Lakes Valley Conference opener on Sunday but had to settle for a split after the Bulldogs rallied for a nine-inning win in game two. The Panthers won game one 9-1 in six innings but lost in extra innings, 5-4, in the second game at Thompson Field in Springfield.
 
Drury went to 13-13 and 1-1 in the GLVC, while Truman State ended the day 8-16 and 1-1 in the league.
 
The Panthers owned a 2-1 lead in going into the sixth inning of game one, then pushed home seven runs to end the game in the sixth. Kailyne Luna ended the game early with a two-RBI single that gave the Panthers a 9-1 win.
 
Kristina Bettis (8-6) got the win for Drury going six innings, giving up only three hits and one run with two walks and eight strikeouts. Sophia Luetticke reached base all four times as she drew three walks, had single, two stolen bases and a run scored.
 
The Panthers had Truman State down to their final out and had a 4-1 lead in the seventh when Cassie Smith kept her team alive with a single. A hit batter and an error at shortstop set up a game-tying, two-RBI single by Alex Beard that pushed the game to extras.
 
Smith then scored the winning run in the ninth as she reached base on an error to start the frame. A double by Cam Patterson then gave the Bulldogs a 5-4 lead. Drury loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but could not push home the tying run.
 
Lindsay Henson (1-3) took the loss despite not allowing an earned run in her eight innings of work. She walked two and struck out six while allowing six hits. Bre Kleine (4-5) got the win for Truman State.
 
Drury DP Megan Parsley went 2 for 4 in the game with a home run and two RBI’s.
 
The Panthers play again on Monday with a 3 pm doubleheader against William Jewell. The two games were originally scheduled for March 18 but were postponed by cold temperatures.
 
 
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