The Cardinals finally got their bats swinging in their third of six games of the 8-State Classic on a chilly Saturday morning, but it wasn't enough to overcome UCM as the Jennies prevailed 13-11 in 8 innings.

The Jennies struck first, scoring three runs in the first two innings.  The Cardinals' bats began heating up in the bottom of the second when junior Faith Song led off with a double.  Senior Brittany Madsen and freshman Kelsey Morgan reached off a hit by pitch and a single loading the bases.  The Cardinals did not do any damage as the Jennies recorded a groundout and a flyout. 

The hot bats continued into the third inning, where the Cardinals scored seven runs unanswered. Junior Kelsey Tenycke ignited the rally by hitting a three-run double to tie the game at three and Morgan recorded her first career homerun as a Cardinal when she hit a two-run bomb to put the Cardinals up 5-3.  Junior Rachel Potvin ran out a single to score another run and senior Rachel Hayden drew a bases-loaded walk. 

The offense for the Cardinals carried over into the fourth inning when Madsen hit a solo homerun, extending the lead to 8-3. 

In the top of the sixth, the Jennies scored seven runs unanswered, putting them ahead 11-8. 

The Cardinals looked poised to take the game in the final inning, scoring three runs off a two-run double by Song and a one-run double by Madsen, tying the game at 11.  Sophomore Aerin Creamer grounded out to short to end the inning. 

In extras, the Jennies (2-3) scored two runs in the top of the eighth and that was all they would need to close out the Cardinals. 

Rachel Hayden started the game for the Cardinals (0-3), pitching five innings in a no decision.  Song came in relief in the sixth inning, giving up 8 runs and took the loss for the Cardinals.  Offensively, junior Rachel Potvin and freshman Kelsey Morgan paced the Cardinals.  Potvin was 3-5, scoring two runs and Morgan had a career day going 3-4 at the plate with her first career homerun and double tallying 2 RBI. 

The Cardinals (0-3) look to bounce back from their rocky start and will take on Missouri Western State University (5-3) in the afternoon game. 

Jewell Tallies First Win of the Season Against Missouri Western

Jewell ended a three-game losing streak to finally get a win in the second game in as many days in the 8-State Classic in Bentonville, AR.  The Cardinals closed out the Missouri Western State Griffons, winning 5-4 in the contest.

The Griffons got on the board early in the second inning, scoring two runs on two errant pitches that got past the catcher, putting them up 2-0.

The Cardinals answered back in the bottom of the fourth when senior Rachel Hayden and junior Faith Song reached on singles.  Senior Brittany Madsen hit her second homerun of the day with a three-run shot to center field to put the Cardinals ahead 3-2.  The Griffons threatened to score in the top of the fifth inning, as they had runners on second and third, but the Cardinal defense turned a crucial double play to end the inning. 

The Cardinals extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run homerun by junior Faith Song, putting them up 5-2.  The Griffons pushed back in the top of the sixth on a 2-run homerun.   The Cardinal defense held on the rest of the way for a 5-4 win.

Song pitched a complete game, scattering seven hits and picking up her first win of the season.  She also took care of things offensively, going 2-3 at the dish with 2 RBI.  Hayden was a perfect 3-3 at the plate. 

The Cardinals (1-3) will close out the tournament with a two games against Missouri Southern State University and Pitt State University on Sunday February 16th.