COLUMBIA, Mo. – On a meaningful afternoon at American Legion Park, Stephens College softball delivered a pair of victories and a heartfelt celebration during Friday's doubleheader sweep of Mission University, winning 6-5 and 6-2 in American Midwest Conference play.
The Stars (12-16, 6-4 AMC) kicked off First Responders Day with a dramatic game-one win, capped by Kyndal Vincent's seventh-inning RBI double that sealed the walk-off. After the game, the program honored Stephens College President Dr. Dianne Lynch, recognizing her years of support and leadership as she embarks on retirement.
Game 1: Stephens 6, Mission 5
Senior center fielder Emma Angel ignited the offense with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. The Stars regained a 2-1 lead in the third with an aggressive double steal—Elise Kendrick took home while Ivy Smart swiped second. Stephens tacked on three more runs over the next few innings, including a key RBI single from junior Celeste Athon.
Katie Dennis (5-5) pitched a complete game, scattering nine hits and striking out four. Mission tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the seventh with a three-run rally, but the Stars responded with poise. After back-to-back hits from Dennis and Landry Bales in the bottom half, Vincent came through with the game-winning hit into the left-center gap.
Game 2: Stephens 6, Mission 2
Down 2-0 early, the Stars responded in the third when Dennis laced a single into center that scored two, capitalizing on a defensive miscue. Stephens then broke the game open in the fifth with a four-run frame, highlighted by a sacrifice fly from Smart and back-to-back RBI singles from Krieger and Bales. Vincent capped the rally with a productive groundout to bring in the fourth run.
Pitcher Kendrick (5-7) was sharp in the circle, tossing a complete game with just two earned runs allowed and one strikeout on 111 pitches. She held the Patriots scoreless over the final five frames.
Krieger went 3-for-5 on the day with two RBIs and a walk, while Dennis and Angel each collected four hits across the doubleheader.
Stephens returns to the diamond tomorrow, April 12, back at American Legion for the final home game of the 2025 season hosting AMC match up, Central Baptist College. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 and 2 pm.
