JAMESTOWN, N.D. – The University of Jamestown softball team faced a difficult home stand on Saturday, dropping both ends of a conference doubleheader to St. Cloud State University at the Nelson Family Bubble. Despite solo home runs in both contests, the Jimmies were unable to overcome early deficits, moving to 19-10 overall and 0-6 in NSIC play.
Game 1: St. Cloud St. 3, Jamestown 1
In the opener, St. Cloud State utilized a two-run second inning to take an early lead. The Jimmies responded in the bottom of the second when Hope Ransome launched a solo home run to cut the lead to 2-1. However, the UJ offense was held to just that single hit by SCSU's Macey Clark, who struck out 12 batters in a complete-game effort. The Huskies added an insurance run in the sixth to secure the 3-1 win. Abby Blair took the loss, allowing two earned runs over 4.1 innings.
Game 2: St. Cloud St. 8, Jamestown 1
The nightcap proved even more challenging as St. Cloud State exploded for eight runs in the first inning. Amanda Burch provided the lone bright spot for the Jimmies, hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning to prevent the shutout. Kasydi Bennett recorded the only other hit for Jamestown, a single in the first inning. Aubrey Quern struggled in the start, exiting after 0.3 innings. Ransome and Cienna Clemens provided solid relief, combined to allow only one run over the final 6.2 innings, but the early damage was too much to overcome in the 8-1 final.
Up Next
The Jimmies continue their home stretch at the Nelson Family Bubble in Jamestown, N.D., tomorrow Sunday, March 28, for a conference doubleheader against Concordia-St. Paul. First pitch is set for 12:00 PM, followed by the second game at 2:00 PM.