Central Missouri softballThe Jennies offense was stifled for six innings before they tried to stage a late rally that ultimately came up short in a 4-1 loss to Adelphi in the Division II Softball Championship opener for both teams. The Jennies now drop in to the loser’s bracket of the tournament and will face California (Pa.) on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in an elimination game.

Adelphi (31-20) jumped on top early and never trailed in the game. Krista King led off the game with an infield single and went to second on Brenna Martini’s two-out walk. Jaclyn Binstock then laced a double over the head of Katie Giacone in left field on the seventh pitch of her at-bat. Both runners scored and the Panthers led 2-0 after a half inning.

AU added to the lead in the top of the third on Victoria Wink’s RBI single to left to make it 3-0. The Panthers threatened for more, loading the bases with no outs in the inning, but Katie Shockley was able to pitch out of the jam and keep it at a three-run game.

Adelphi got a leadoff double in the fourth and threatened to add to the lead, but Jakki Prater relieved Shockley and proceeded to record three quick outs to end the inning. That seemed to energize UCM as the Jennies came up to bat in the top of the fourth and had their best scoring chance of the game. Lindsey Dawson and Prater had back-to-back singles to start the inning before Lauren Mabe walked to load the bases with no outs. UCM could not score, however, as a strikeout, popout and a groundout ended the inning and kept the Jennies off the board.

Adelphi grabbed all the momentum back after holding UCM scoreless by plating another run in the top of the fifth to lead 4-0. Megan Lewis’ two-out single to left scored Wink to extend the AU lead. The Panthers put two runners on with two outs in the sixth, but Prater got Wink to ground out to Ali Jo Rogers at shortstop to keep UCM at a four-run deficit.

Allie Dishinger pinch hit for UCM to lead off the bottom of the seventh and looked as though she would lead off with a single, but Wink made a play on the ball deep in the hole at short and made a strong throw for the first out of the inning. Carlie Rose stepped in and belted an 0-1 pitch in to the bleachers in left field for a solo home run to get UCM on the board and pull the Jennies within 4-1.

That seemed to energize the Jennies again as Madison Hood and Katie Giacone had back-to-back infield singles to bring the tying run to the plate. After a groundout moved both runners in to scoring position, Rogers hit one to the gap in left center, but Binstock was able to track it down from her centerfield position for the final out of the game.

The Jennies finished the game with six hits with three coming in the final inning. They left six runners on base as well. AU had 10 hits in the game and left eight runners on base.

Shockley (27-7) took the loss for UCM after allowing three runs on six hits in three-plus innings of work. It was just her second loss in her last 25 decisions. Prater allowed one run on four hits in four innings of relief.

Lindsay Mapes (19-9) earned the win for Adelphi, scattering six hits while striking out eight in a complete-game performance.

The Jennies will now wait until Saturday when they return to action against California (Pa.) in an elimination game at 2:30 p.m. The Vulcans fell to fourth-ranked Dixie State 1-0 in their first game of the championships.