Cowley softball uses late-inning surge to sweep doubleheader at KCK

Keeping its conference title hopes alive, the Cowley College softball team pulled out a pair of close wins at Kansas City Kansas Community College on Saturday. The Lady Tigers got a home run from Taverli Tennant to beat KCK 3-1 in nine innings of game one before scoring a run in the seventh inning of game two to slip past the Blue Devils 2-1.

Cowley improves its record to 34-12 and 16-2 in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division. The Lady Tigers are one game behind conference-leading Neosho County (17-1), who they will face in a doubleheader on Monday at 1 p.m. in Chanute, KS.

Kansas City falls to 32-15 overall and 13-5 in the conference.

Before Tennant's heroics in game one, Cowley pitcher Mikah Vann (19-5) gave her team a chance to win by spinning a gem on the mound. Vann pitched all nine innings, allowing only one single and one walk, while striking out six.

Kansas City's Alyssa Droge was the tough-luck loser in game one as she allowed eight hits and three runs in nine innings.

Game two was again close, with the game tied at 1-1 before Cowley scratched a run across in the top of the seventh inning to lead 2-1.

Sophomore Ezra Arredondo went the first six innings and allowed only five hits and one run before Vann came on to retire the side in order in the seventh and preserve the 2-1 victory.

Tennant and Aubrey Williams drove in runs for Cowley, while Jamie Molina went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored.

Kansas City's Hannah Acree took the loss despite allowing only six hits and one earned run in seven innings pitched.

Cowley will now try to find a way to sweep a doubleheader at No. 17-ranked Neosho County on Monday before closing out the regular season by hosting Cloud County (15-25) on Thursday at 2 p.m.

Score by inning:

Game one                         R H E

Cowley 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 – 3 7 1

KCK     0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 – 1 1 0

Game two                   R H E

Cowley 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 – 2 7 0

KCK     0 0 0 0 1 0 0 – 1 5 1