COLUMBIA, Mo. – It was a day to remember for Stephens College softball as the Stars opened American Midwest Conference (AMC) play with a statement, sweeping Harris-Stowe State in a dominant fashion. The afternoon was filled with energy as the Stars honored their four seniors—Emma Angel, Grace Houchin, Kara Krieger, and Ivy Smart—before securing a commanding 21-0 victory in Game 1, followed by a 7-2 win in Game 2 at American Legion Park.
Game 1: Stephens 21, Harris-Stowe State 0 (5 innings)
The Stars (8-10, 2-0 AMC) wasted no time setting the tone for the day, erupting for 21 runs on 17 hits. Ivy Smart headlined the offensive explosion, going 4-for-4 with seven RBIs, including a towering grand slam in the fourth inning that cemented her place in the program's seasonal record books. The fifth-year standout now ranks top five in home runs (5) and fourth in single-season RBIs (27).
Stephens jumped ahead early, scoring two runs in the first on an RBI triple from Smart, who later came home on a wild pitch. The second inning saw the floodgates open as Celeste Athon launched a three-run homer to put the Stars up 6-0.
The offense continued to surge, highlighted by a fourth inning in which the Stars plated 13 runs. Landry Bales homered, Emmy Carver and Grace Houchin added RBI singles, and Savannah Greathouse capped the scoring by drawing a bases-loaded walk.
In the circle, Elise Kendrick and Angel combined for a three-hit shutout, with Kendrick winning after striking out five over four innings.
Game 2: Stephens 7, Harris-Stowe State 2
The Stars carried their momentum into the second game, striking for five first-inning runs. Kendrick started with a sacrifice fly, and Kyndal Vincent and Houchin each drove in runs to give Stephens a commanding early lead.
Harris-Stowe pushed across a run in the first, but Smart answered in the second with an RBI single to extend the lead. Angel added an insurance run in the third after reaching on a single and later scoring on an error.
Smart also shined in the circle, earning the win with 4.2 innings of one-run ball, while Katie Dennis closed the door with 2.1 strong relief innings.
With the sweep, the Stars start AMC play undefeated and will look to build on their momentum when they return to action on Sunday, March 23, against the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m. at American Legion Park.
