February 24, 2023

TOPEKA – The Cougar softball team picked up their first win of the season in run rule fashion as they defeated Nebraska-Kearney 15-4 in game one of the day. Sioux Falls and No. 20 Washburn were forced to cancel their game in the bottom of the second due to poor weather conditions.

GAME 1 – NEBRASKA-KEARNEY

The Cougars started the game strong with five runs in the first inning. Rylie Jones was the lead off for USF and found herself on base following a hit by pitch. Lexie Swift, Kait Van Der Zwaag and Kylie Madrid were all walked while Jones scored first for the Coo off a wild pitch. Reese Holzhueter cleared the bases with a three RBI double and scored off a single up the middle by Megan Lawson to end the inning up 5-0.

Three Cougars saw home runs today starting with Swift in the bottom of the second. Jones and Van Der Zwaag followed suit in the fourth, each with a two-run home run.

Sioux Falls got their bats hot earlier today and never looked back. The Cougars produced 15 runs off of 11 hits and left just five runners on base. USF had three stolen bases on the day led by Swift, Holzhueter and Kennedy Thomas.

On the mound, Hanna Cress and Kennedy Thomas combined for four innings pitched with Thomas coming away with her first win of the season.

GAME 2 – WASHBURN (CANCELLED)

The Cougars and Ichabod's started the game with less than ideal conditions that only seemed to get worse. On an all turf field, while raining with 30 degree temperatures, both coaches felt the playing surface had become unsafe for both teams and were forced to cancel the remainder of the game.

UP NEXT

The Cougars will be back in action tomorrow as they take on Central Missouri and Emporia State in day two of the Washburn Invitational.

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