BRANSON, Mo.  — The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) softball team improved to 2-2 on the season with a 7-2 victory over Mission (Mo.) and a dominant 6-3 win against York (Neb.) in a doubleheader today (Feb. 8). The Pomeroys showed their resilience with timely hitting and solid pitching in both games.

In the second game, Mission (Mo.) took an early lead in the first inning when M. Good singled to left field, driving in A. Zeno for a 1-0 advantage. However, the Pomeroys responded with a strong second inning, scoring three runs to take control of the game.

J. Fuller sparked the rally with a double down the left-field line, scoring A. Rollings to tie the game at 1-1. L. Jaynes then followed with a single to center field, driving in Fuller for a 2-1 lead. K. McVey capped the scoring in the second inning with a double down the left-field line, bringing in M. Helmkamp to make it 3-1.

Mission (Mo.) pulled within one run in the third inning, as J. Cunningha singled through the right side, driving in K. Hendricks to cut the Pomeroys' lead to 3-2.

However, the Pomeroys extended their lead in the seventh inning with a series of unearned runs. J. Crawford reached first on a throwing error by the third baseman, advancing E. Singleton to third and allowing K. Cooksey to score, making it 4-2. A sacrifice fly by A. Rollings scored Singleton from third to increase the lead to 5-2. Finally, a second throwing error by Mission's shortstop allowed J. Fuller to reach first and, with additional help from the defense, score two more unearned runs, including A. Broughton and Crawford crossing the plate to seal the 7-2 victory.

Lanna Martinez (1-1) earned the win for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, pitching 3.1 innings, while Overman closed the game with 3.2 innings of one-hit relief.

In the day's opener, SMWC opened the scoring in the third inning when Hailey Boardman singled and advanced to second on the throw, bringing herself home for a 1-0 lead. York answered in the fourth when E. Morphew grounded out to second base, allowing C. Lockhart to score and tie the game at 1-1.

The Pomeroys regained the lead in the fourth inning, thanks to a bases-loaded walk by Boardman, which scored Abby Broughton and put the Pomeroys ahead, 2-1.
York tied it again in the fifth inning when K. Anderson doubled to right field, driving in C. Martinez to make it 2-2.

The decisive sixth inning saw the Pomeroys take control. Libby Jaynes reached first on a York error, allowing Jaidyn Fuller to score for a 3-2 lead. Boardman then singled to center field, advancing to second on the throw and scoring Kylie Cooksey, unearned, to increase the lead to 4-2. Finally, a single by Jasmine Kinzer brought in both Boardman and Kyar McVey, unearned, extending the Pomeroy lead to 6-2.

York pushed a run across in the seventh inning when Anderson singled down the right-field line, scoring G. Torstense, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Pomeroys' advantage, as Saint Mary-of-the-Woods held on for the 6-3 win.

Looking ahead, the Pomeroys will next travel to the Avila NAIA Invitational in Kansas City, Kansas, on February 15 & 16, 2025. SMWC will face tough competition at the event and will look to build on their strong start to the season.