COLUMBIA, Mo. – Under a bright but blustery sky at Rock Bridge High School, the Stephens College softball team showcased resilience, securing an extra-inning 8-7 win before holding off a late rally in a 6-5 victory to sweep UHSP in AMC play on Sunday.
The Stars (10-10, 4-0 AMC) are now tied for first place in the conference in a four-way tie.
Game 1: Stephens 8, UHSP 7 (10 innings)
The Stars battled back from an early deficit, tying the game in the sixth and walking it off in the tenth. Ivy Smart's bat continued to deliver as she crushed a solo home run in the third, trimming an early four-run deficit. The comeback gained steam in the fourth when CoMo native, Elise Kendrick laced an RBI single, and Smart reached on a fielder's choice that plated another run. A UHSP miscue allowed Kendrick to score, making it 7-6.
Stephens evened the game in the sixth on a clutch RBI single from Celeste Athon, setting the stage for extra innings. In the tenth, with the wind gusting through the outfield, Landry Bales lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home the winning run as Katie Dennis slid in ahead of the tag to secure the walk-off win.
Kendrick went the distance in the circle, tossing all ten innings while striking out eight and allowing 11 hits.
Game 2: Stephens 6, UHSP 5
The second game saw another strong showing from the Stars, highlighted by a six-run fourth inning. Jordan Watkins opened the scoring with an RBI single, followed by Dennis knocking in another run. Kara Krieger then stole home on a double steal, and Kyndal Vincent capped the rally with an RBI single before Emma Angel launched a two-run homer over the left-field fence.
UHSP made a late push in the seventh, cutting the lead to one with a three-run triple, but Dennis shut the door with a strikeout to secure the save.
The Stars will look to extend their winning streak as they return to action on Wednesday, March 26, with a doubleheader against Southwest Baptist University at American Legion. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
