Columbia, MO - Stephens celebrated Senior Day with a doubleheader split against Crowley's Ridge on April 17, earning a dominant win in game one before falling in a back-and-forth second game.
Game One: Stars 14, Pioneers 1
Stephens opened the day with a 14-1 victory, taking control early and never looking back. The Stars got on the board in the first inning and broke the game open with a five-run second, followed by a six-run third to create separation.
Landry Bales led the offensive effort with a home run and six RBIs, while Elise Kendrick delivered a key three-RBI double during the second-inning surge. Kyndal Vincent scored three runs at the top of the lineup, and Mylee Hawkins added two hits and an RBI. Stephens totaled 10 hits and capitalized on multiple defensive miscues by Crowley's Ridge.
In the circle, Kendrick earned the win, tossing four scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out three. Savannah Greathouse worked the final inning in relief to secure the win.
Game Two: Stars 9, Pioneers 11
In game two, Stephens came up short in an 11-9 loss despite another strong offensive performance. The Stars jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning behind early production from Landry Bales and Abby Schmidt.
Crowley's Ridge answered with a five-run fifth inning to take the lead, but Stephens responded in the bottom half with three runs to regain a 6-5 advantage, highlighted by RBIs from Kyndal Vincent, Elise Kendrick, and Bales.
The lead shifted again late, as Crowley's Ridge scored three runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to move back in front. Stephens made one final push in the seventh, cutting into the deficit with a two-RBI double from Mylee Hawkins, but the rally fell short.
Vincent led the Stars with three hits and two RBIs, while Addison Flores, Abby Schmidt, and Leanna Mitts each added multiple hits as Stephens finished with 14 in the game.
