Softball Tops Stephens for Third Straight Win

BRANSON, Mo. — Doane Softball scored eight runs in the first three innings and made it stand up, holding off Stephens 10-7 in a neutral-site contest Saturday morning.

Doane struck first with a four-run top of the first, highlighted by a Faith McDonald solo home run and a two-run triple from Katelyn Hays to make it 4-0. Stephens answered with two runs in the bottom half, but the Tigers kept adding on—scoring two in the second and two more in the third to push the advantage to 8-5.

The Tigers' offense finished with 11 hits, including two doubles, two triples and a home run. Milannie Gonzalez sparked the lineup by going 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, a walk, two runs scored and an RBI. Hays added a 2-for-4 day with a triple, two RBI and two runs, while Ciara Hudson delivered a key swing late, ripping a two-run double in the seventh to provide needed insurance. Doane also got RBI singles from Natalie Ascencio, Bri True, and Jaiden Papik.

In the circle, Lauren Dick earned the win in her start, working four innings with three strikeouts. True closed the final three frames and secured the save, striking out two while working through late pressure as Stephens plated two in the bottom of the seventh.

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