North Manchester, Ind. - The Manchester University softball team closed out a Thursday doubleheader against St. Mary's (Ind.) on April 9 at the MU Softball Field, dropping a tightly contested opener before falling in the nightcap. The Spartans moved to 11–10 on the season following the twinbill.
Manchester battled throughout the opener but came up just short in a 3–1 setback against St. Mary's in the first game of the doubleheader.
The game remained scoreless through four innings as both pitchers settled in early. Manchester starter Krryn Miller turned in a strong complete-game effort, limiting St. Mary's to six hits while striking out one and issuing no walks over seven innings. The Spartans briefly grabbed momentum in the bottom of the fifth, striking for their lone run. Lizzy Willis sparked the inning with a base hit and later crossed the plate on an RBI groundout by Erin Singleton, giving Manchester a 1–0 lead. The advantage proved short-lived, however, as St. Mary's capitalized on defensive miscues to plate two unearned runs in the top of the fourth and added an insurance run in the sixth.
Manchester finished with seven hits in the contest, led by Lexi Goodman, who went 2-for-3 from the lineup's lower half. Singleton, Willis, Kendal Rider, Crystal Cooke, and Miller each recorded singles as the Spartans consistently put runners on base but struggled to deliver the timely hit. Manchester left nine runners aboard on the afternoon, including a bases-loaded opportunity in the fifth. Defensively, Manchester turned in several solid individual performances, with Sabrina Leonard anchoring first base with nine putouts and Kloe Wentz recording five assists at shortstop. Ultimately, three errors proved costly as St. Mary's converted opportunities into the difference on the scoreboard.
Manchester struck early in the nightcap but was unable to slow a powerful St. Mary's offense, falling 12–4 in five innings.
The Spartans came out aggressively in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs to take an early lead. Singleton reached base to ignite the rally, and Leonard delivered a key blow with a two-run home run to put Manchester out in front. Willis followed with an RBI base hit to cap the inning and give the Spartans a 3–1 advantage. St. Mary's responded with a steady offensive surge, scoring in four consecutive innings and pulling away with a six-run fourth. Manchester added its final run in the bottom of the fourth when Liv Roney drove in a run with a two-out single. Singleton posted a strong offensive day, finishing 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored, while Leonard went 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs. Willis also collected a pair of hits and an RBI, and Manchester totaled eight hits in the contest.
