WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - Opening conference play against the two-time defending league champions, Midway softball was able to secure a split against St. Mary of the Woods on Sunday.

The Eagles, who were also playing their first home games of 2024, started fast then held off a late Pomeroy rally to win the opener 3-2, before SMWC dominated game two, winning 12-1 in five innings.

GAME ONE

Having been held scoreless in their previous 18 at-bats coming in, the Eagles quickly found an offensive rhythm, as Ryann Berger led off with a triple, then came around to score on a Tenley Gilbert groundout. This was quickly followed by a walk, a Katie Rhodes double and an RBI Kyra McCall single to stretch the lead to 2-0.

Berger then made it 3-0 on a fourth-inning RBI single, a lead Midway would maintain until the Pomeroys turned up the pressure in the sixth. RBI singles by Lyric Krause and Jaleigh Crawford cut the lead to 3-2 and SMWC was in good position to do more damage with just one out.

Fortunately, Eagle pitcher Makayla McDowell was able to escape the jam by forcing consecutive groundouts, the last of which came with the tying run on third base. McDowell scattered seven hits while allowing one earned run with a walk and two strikeouts to get her second win of the season.

GAME TWO

The Pomeroys took command of the second game immediately, jumping ahead on a two-run, first-inning home run by Krause.

Rhodes gave Midway a jolt with a second-inning homer that made it 3-1, but the Eagles would be out-scored 9-0 and out-hit 10-2 the rest of the way.

Now 3-9 overall, the Eagles are back home for another conference doubleheader on Monday, this time against IUPUC. The Crimson Pride (Ind.) are 0-6 on the season and lost 4-2 and 3-0 in their conference-opening doubleheader at Indiana Southeast Sunday.

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