The USF softball team recorded their third straight series sweep on Monday when they took down St. Cloud State 8-6 and 7-1 at Sherman Park in Sioux Falls. The Cougars relied on 0.316 batting on the day to lead them as they scored their most runs in a NSIC doubleheader this season.
The sixth straight win for USF gives them an overall record of 21-7 with a 9-3 record in league play while St. Cloud State drops to 7-17-1 on the season and 1-6-1 in the NSIC.
USF 8, St. Cloud State 6
The Cougars got out to an early lead in the bottom of the 1st when a single by Bailey Bouman allowed Erin Scott to cross the plate. Later in the inning Shae Hoskins hit a single that brought home Bailey Bouman and put the Cougars up by two runs. Hoskins wrapped up the day by notching hits in two of her four at bats while also bringing in two RBIs.
In the 3rd inning the Cougars increased their lead when Shae Hoskins hit a ball up the middle that gave room for Bailey Bouman to score. Hoskins then had her turn in crossing the plate when Taylor Jonas hit a single to the shortstop.
The Huskies answered back in the top of the 4th inning when an error by Shannon Daly allowed Megan Lehnen to score. Later in the inning a Megan Larkin single allowed two SCSU runners to cross to plate and bring the Huskies within one run of the Cougars.
USF kept SCSU at bay in the bottom of the 4th when a Bailey Bouman double to left centerfield brought in two runs and pushed the Cougars lead up to three runs. Bouman ended the day going 3-of-4 at the plate with three RBIs.
Both teams crossed the plate in the 5th inning as Tricia DeBoer scored off of a sacrifice fly by Megan Lehnen and Erin Scott scored off of a Betsy Thomas groundout.
St. Cloud State tried to mount a comeback in the 6th inning as they got within two runs of USF when Abby Bunnell hit a single that allowed two Huskies to cross the plate.
However, the comeback effort was in vain as it was three up and three down for the Huskies with Amanda Walters recording strikeouts in two of the three at bats.
Walters was credited with the win as she struck out four SCSU batters in seven innings pitched while giving up five earned runs.
Senna Francesconi was charged with the loss for the Huskies as she gave up five earned runs in three innings pitched.
The Cougars scored their eight runs off of eleven hits while committing two errors.
USF 7, St. Cloud State 1
The Cougars got off to a fast start again in game two when a Bailey Bouman single brought home Shannon Daly and Erin Scott. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, the Huskies St. Cloud State walked Kellen Dewey which made way for Betsy Thomas to score and give USF a two-run lead.
USF added a run in the 3rd inning when Shannon Daly singled and brought home Brooke Stetzler to put the Cougars up 3-0.
The floodgates opened once again offensively for USF in the 4th inning when they added three runs to their total. Kellen Dewey got things started when she hit a single up the middle that brought home Andrea Sheppard Kauwalu.
In the next at bat for USF, Taylor Jonas reached on a fielder's choice and Shae Hoskins took advantage of an error by the catcher to step on home plate.
The third and final run of the inning came when Erin Scott hit a single that paved the way for Kellen Dewey to score. Scott ended the game going 2-of-4 at the plate with one RBI.
Looking to mount a comeback, St. Cloud State scored in the 5th inning when Megan Lehnen hit a single to leftfield that brought home Alyssa Coletto to give SCSU their first run of the day. However, Bailey Bouman put an end to any comeback hopes as she set down the final six batters of the day in order to seal the USF victory.
Bouman earned the win by striking out six SCSU batters and only giving up one earned run in seven innings pitched.
Kelly Franks was charged with the loss as she gave up seven earned runs in four innings on the mound.
USF scored their seven runs off of eight hits while recording zero errors.
The Cougars will return to action this Wednesday at Sherman Park when they play host to crosstown rival Augustana College with first pitch set for 4 p.m.
