Triton’s win 3 of 4 in Tennessee

The snow that blanketed the Midwest two weekends ago didn’t only ruin plans here in St. Louis, it caused some havoc in virtually every state in the union. This was especially true in Fort Hays, Kan., where the University of Missouri-St. Louis women’s softball team was planning to open its season last Friday through Sunday.

Unfortunately, nearly six inches of snow fell on Fort Hays two Sundays ago, meaning there would be no softball played in that area last weekend.

The last-minute cancellation of their season opener meant UM-St. Louis had to scramble to find someone and somewhere else to play last weekend.

Fortunately, the Tritons were able to find an event to play in: a three-team showcase in Jackson, Tenn., where UM-St. Louis would play two games each against William Woods University of Fulton, Mo., and the host school Union University.

The weekend in Tennessee wasn’t exactly the extravaganza the Tritons were hoping to open their season with in Kansas, but it still proved a successful trip, as UM-St. Louis won three of four games over the Owls and Bulldogs.

The official season opener was the Friday game against Union. The Tritons trailed 3-0 after five innings, but got two runs in the sixth, then tied the game on a dramatic leadoff home run by catcher Katie Bartlett, senior, biology.

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs got three straight hits in the bottom of the seventh off Crystal Koehler, junior, international business, to win the game 4-3.

The second on Friday pit the Tritons against William Woods. And it did not take long for UM-St. Louis to jump on the Owls.

The Tritons scored four runs in the first inning, three runs in the second and two more in the third before eventually winning in mercy-rule fashion 9-0.

Designated player Carolyn Oquendo, junior, undecided, had three hits, an RBI, and scored two runs for the Tritons. Teammates Carly Maddock, junior, communications, and the aforementioned Bartlett had two hits apiece. Left fielder Karey Kruse, junior, special education, contributed three RBIs to the Tritons shutout win.

On Saturday, UM-St. Louis opened with Union again. This time, the Tritons did not wait to get their bats going. They scored twice in the second inning to take an early lead, then after falling behind 3-2, the Tritons scored three times in the fifth inning to grab the lead for good.

Second baseman Heather Arras, sophomore, undecided, got the inning going with a booming home run to tie the score. Then with two outs and two runners on, Bartlett came through again, blasting a two-run double to put the Tritons up 5-3.

UM-St. Louis added a run in the fifth inning, then held on for a 6-5 win.

The final game of the weekend was a 15-5 blowout win for the Tritons. UM-St. Louis used a 12-run fourth inning to turn a 4-3 deficit into a 15-4 laugher. Several Tritons had big days at the plate, including Bartlett, who had three hits; Kruse and Arras, who each had two hits; and Oquendo, who had three RBIs, as did teammate Brooke Meyer, junior, business administration.

What might prove more significant than the big-time hitting the Tritons did over the weekend was the sensational collegiate debut of pitcher Leslie Davis, freshman, undecided.

Davis was a standout high school player at Piasa Southwestern High in Brighton, Ill., who absolutely lived up to her billing in her first two starts.

Against William Woods on Friday, Davis got the complete game win by shutting out the Owls on just six hits with one strikeout.

Then on Saturday against Union, Davis pitched four and a third innings, and allowed just three earned runs on five hits and struck out two.

The Tritons will return to action this weekend when they will travel to Arkadelphia, Ark., to play in the Henderson State Hot Springs Classic.

Weather permitting, UM-St. Louis’ first home game will be Tuesday, March 16, when the Tritons will host a doubleheader against Truman State.