UNK Athletics
Kearney, Neb. – Freshman Kalli Ulven threw a complete game four-hit shutout and Nebraska Kearney drew 10 walks to beat Minnesota State-Moorhead, 5-0, in game one of a double header Sunday morning in Pittsburg, Kan.
The Dragons (8-19) scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and added an unearned run in the eighth to take the night cap, 4-3. The games were part of the MIAA/NSIC Crossover with the Lopers (13-14) going 3-2 in the tournament.
Ulven (Blair) earned her third win by fanning three, walking none and throwing just 76 pitches. UNK gave her all the support she needed with a three-run second and then scored single runs in the third and fourth innings.
Junior shortstop and leadoff hitter Mary Chvatal (Wahoo) walked three times and had a bunt single with junior left fielder Alivia De La Cruz (Chandler, Ariz.) going 1 for 2 with two runs and two walks. Finally, freshman DP Katie Janssen (Earlham, Ia.) had an RBI double.
In game two, Moorhead hit into a 6-3 double play to end the sixth but used a one-out rally to tie things at three in the seventh. An infield single, throwing error, double down the right field line and pinch hit single knotted things up. However, sophomore reliver Daniella Morillas (Newcastle, Calif.) coaxed the Dragons to hit into another double play to get out of the jam and end the inning.
Senior Avery Steffen countered by recording back-to-back strikeouts in a one out, runner on third situation in the top of the eighth. The offense secured her fourth win as a bunt single moved the placed runner to third with an infield error scoring her.
Junior third baseman Alyssa Fortik (Raymond) and senior center fielder Eden McNally (Castle Rock, Colo.) combined to go 4 for 8 with a run and three RBI’s with junior Madeline Janssen (Earlham, Ia.) allowing one earned run over the first 3.1 innings.
UNK’s “13 games in nine days” stretch ends tomorrow with a double header against the Mary (N.D.) Marauders (7-15). The double header has been moved up two hours to a 12 p.m. start.