[Softball] Softball Season Ends in GPAC Tourney

Doane saw their season come to a close on Thursday in the GPAC Tournament. The Tigers won their first game of the day, defeating Mount Marty 6-3, before falling to Morningside in an elimination game, 7-3. Doane finishes the season with a 26-24 record.

Mount Marty was the first opponent of the day in a game that was postponed from Wednesday due to weather. The Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead through four innings. The Lancers battled back with three runs in the 6th inning with Doane getting a run back in the bottom of the inning to close the scoring.

In the 2nd inning, the Tigers loaded the bases with three walks to open the frame. Haley Kennedy (JR/Lincoln, Neb.) delivered a single to put Doane up 1-0. Kailyn Wiseman (JR/Sutton, Neb.) followed with a walk to bring in the second run of the inning. 

Alicia Vint (SO/Onalaska, Wash.) had a RBI-single in the 3rd inning to give Doane a 3-0 lead. In the 4th inning, a run scored on an error and Megan Elliott (FR/Simi Valley, Calif.) singled to put Doane up 5-0.

The Lancers were able to score three runs on three hits in the 6th. Doane scored a run in the bottom of the inning on an error to close out the scoring.

Josie Schnakenberg (JR/Wahoo, Neb.) picked up the win, as she threw 6.1 innings. She started the game with five no-hit innings, came out of the game to start the sixth but returned for five more outs, allowing one hit overall and striking out 11. Ashley Jacobson (JR/Omaha, Neb.) was charged with three runs on two hits while picking up one out.

Doane was held to six hits in the game, two from Vint. Kayla Miller (FR/Yuciapa, Cali.) scored two runs for Doane. The Tigers also drew eight walks and left 12 runners on base.

Game two on the day immediately followed and all of the scoring happened in the first two innings of play.

Morningside jumped out early with three runs in the bottom of the 1st inning on five hits and Doane error. Tiger starter Shelby Downard (SO/Marysville, Kan.) was only able to record one out before handing the ball off to Schnakenberg.

Doane came back in the 2nd inning with three runs on three hits and a Mustang error. Kennedy had a two-run single to pull the Tigers within a run and Jade Hill (FR/San Diego, Calif.) tied the game with a sacrifice fly.

The Mustangs answered back again in the bottom of the 2nd inning as they drew three straight walks following a strikeout to open the inning. Morningside cleanup hitter Morgan Nixon picked up her only hit of the game as she delivered a grand slam to go back in front.

Mia Barozzo entered the game in the 3rd inning for Morningside in the pitcher's circle and held the Tigers hitless the rest of the way, walking one batter.

Schnakenberg threw 5.0 innings, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out seven. Downard allowed three runs in 0.1 inning on five hits. Jacobson recorded the final two outs of the 6th inning for the Tigers.