By: John Murphy
CSC Sports Information Director
CHADRON, Neb. -- The Chadron State College softball team suffered two low scoring defeats against the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets in Chadron Thursday afternoon, losing in game one 2-0 before being defeated 2-1 in game two.
The losses drop CSC to 11-37 overall and 11-27 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. BHSU improves to 14-31 overall and 13-27 in the conference.
In game one, the Eagles finished with six hits and had one error. The Yellow Jackets had two runs, five hits and one error.
The Yellow Jackets took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning. With runners on first and second, Tyler Whitlock hit a double to right center for the Yellow Jackets, scoring the runner from third.
Their second run was scored in the top of the fourth inning. BHSU began the inning with a single and a double to put two runners in scoring position. The next batter hit a single to center field to make the score 2-0 in the visitors' favor.
The Eagles, who had a runner on in every inning except the fourth, had runners advance to second base in the sixth and the seventh innings but were unable to bring them home.
Kenzi Garner received the loss on the mound. The junior allowed five hits, two runs and had four strikeouts. Neither team drew a walk in the game.
In the Eagle's 2-1 defeat in game two, they finished with one run with five hits and two errors. The Yellow Jackets had two runs, nine hits and no errors.
Black Hills State took an early 2-0 lead after scoring one run in first and one in the second inning.
In the first, a two-out double to center field brough in a run from third base. The guests second run was scored after two consecutive errors by the CSC defense in the second inning.
The Eagles first hit of the game occurred with the leadoff batter in the bottom of the third inning.
J'lyssa Martinez led off the inning with a solo homer to right field, making the score 2-1.
Defensively, the Eagles found the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning but a Brooklyn Levin strikeout ended the scoring threat from the Yellow Jackets.
After leaving two runners on in the bottom of the inning, the Eagles didn't record another hit until the bottom of the seventh inning.
Trailing 2-1, the Eagles needed one run in the seventh to force extra innings. With one out, CSC hit three consecutive singles to load the bases.
CSC's next two batters fouled out to third base, ending the game with a final score of 2-1 in the guests favor.
Levin received the loss in seven innings of work. The freshman allowed nine hits and two runs, one being earned. Despite walking two batters, Levin set a new career high with 10 strikeouts.
The Eagles and Yellow Jackets will both conclude their seasons with another double-header tomorrow. Four seniors from each team will be honored between the two games. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m.