EAST PEORIA, Ill. -- No. 2 Missouri S&T softball opened GLVC Tournament play with a 5-4 victory over No. 7 Maryville on Wednesday afternoon at the EastSide Centre, advancing to the winner's bracket of the conference tournament.
With the win, the Miners improve to 36-15 overall while tying the program record with their 15th straight victory. Missouri S&T also saw AJ Agers (DeSoto, MO/St. Pius X) become just the second pitcher in program history to record a 20-win season, joining Christy Deken, who recorded 27 wins in a season.
Missouri S&T responded immediately after Maryville struck first in the opening inning, erupting for five runs in the bottom half of the frame to take control of the game.
Claire Lopez (Olathe, KS/Olathe Northwest) started the rally with a double before stealing third, while Taylor Nelson (Hailey, ID/Phillips Exeter Academy) drew a walk and stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Following an error that tied the game, Kaylee LaChappell (Oswego, IL/Oswego) drove in a run on a fielder's choice before Trista Grobe (DeSoto, MO/DeSoto) delivered the biggest swing of the day, launching a three-run home run to center field to give the Miners a 5-1 lead.
The Miners managed just three hits in the contest, but capitalized on early opportunities and aggressive base running. Lopez doubled and stole a base, Nelson added two stolen bases and two walks, while Grobe drove in three of Missouri S&T's five runs.
In the circle, Agers battled through all seven innings to secure her 20th victory of the season. The senior allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out seven. Maryville threatened late with two runs in the seventh inning, but the Miners held on to secure the postseason victory.
The victory also marked another milestone season moment for Missouri S&T, continuing the program's historic run after already setting a new single-season conference wins record earlier this year.
What's Next
Missouri S&T advances to the winner's bracket of the GLVC Tournament and will take on No. 3 McKendree at 2 p.m. tomorrow, May 7, in East Peoria, Illinois.
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