BRANSON, Mo. – SWOSU Softball began the 2025 season on a high note after defeating Upper Iowa 3-2 in the final inning of the season opener. The Bulldogs split the action on opening day by suffering a 10-1 setback to Missouri Southern in the game right after.
SWOSU (1-1) will play another pair of games tomorrow to close out the Branson Leadoff Classic. The Dawgs battle Emporia State at 10:00 am before wrapping up the tournament against Maryville at 2:00 pm.
Game One
SWOSU 3, Upper Iowa 2
After single runs by both teams were scored in the second and third innings to make the score 1-1, the Peacocks took a late 2-1 lead in the sixth inning.
Down to their final out in the seventh,
Chesnie Hewitt delivered a two RBI, go-ahead single to put the Dawgs back on top.
Taylor McMahon and
Avery Rempel scored on the play. McMahon walked to lead off the inning, and Rempel re-entered to run for
Hannah Nieuwenhuis, who singled in a pinch hit spot.
Jaycee McKee came on in the bottom half of the seventh to earn a save. She relieved
Alexis Taylor (W, 1-0) who pitched six strong innings prior. With one out and runners on the corners, the Bulldogs cut down the tying run at home on a fielder's choice to keep the lead intact.
Hewitt and
Jadyn Hook both had two hits in the game.
Game Two
Missouri Southern 10, SWOSU 1 (6 inn.)
Five errors derailed SWOSU in the second game of the day. The Lions scored four runs in the sixth inning to enact the run-rule, capping off a four-inning stretch that saw MSSU score eight total runs without a Bulldog answer. They tallied 12 hits in the game including three doubles and a triple.
Hannah Nieuwenhuis accounted for the lone Bulldog run. She doubled in the second inning and eventually came around to score.
Shallen Mershon and
Kirsten Sudderth were SWOSU's other two hits.
Riley Lusk (L, 0-1) suffered the loss in the circle. She went 3.0 innings before giving way to Nieuwenhuis who pitched the rest.
