Softball Team Spits With Southeastern Illinois

PARK HILLS, Mo. — The Mineral Area College softball team earned a split with Southeastern Illinois College on Feb. 26 in Park Hills, rallying for a dominant win in the second game after falling just short in a high-scoring opener.

The Cardinals showcased offensive firepower across the doubleheader, pounding out 23 hits in the two contests while receiving strong individual performances at the plate and in the circle.

Falcons hold off late Cardinals rally, 10–9

Mineral Area nearly completed a dramatic comeback in Game 1 but ultimately dropped a 10–9 decision despite outhitting Southeastern Illinois 13–12.

The Falcons struck first with a run in the opening inning and gradually built a 7–2 advantage through four innings. Mineral Area responded with a six-run fourth inning to seize an 8–6 lead, highlighted by clutch hitting from Ava Spalding and Evvie Blankenship.

Southeastern Illinois answered immediately, however, regaining control with three runs over the final three innings. Mineral Area mounted one last push in the seventh, plating two runs, but the rally came up just short.

Spalding led the Cardinals offensively, going 3-for-5 with a double, triple, and four RBIs. Blankenship added three hits and two RBIs, while Kelsie Politte also collected three hits and scored twice. Ana Turner and Dixie Cloud each drove in a run.

In the circle, Libby Mesch took the loss after allowing seven runs (five earned) over four innings, while Emma Mulholland pitched the final three frames.

Cardinals respond with run-rule victory, 12–0

Mineral Area bounced back emphatically in Game 2, scoring early and often in a 12–0 run-rule victory in five innings.

The Cardinals erupted for six runs in the first inning and added six more in the third to put the game out of reach. Mineral Area tallied 10 hits and benefited from five walks while holding the Falcons to just three hits.

Miley Conklin delivered the biggest blow with a home run and four RBIs, while Ana Turner went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Kaylyn Woods tripled and drove in two runs, and Kelsie Politte added a hit and two RBIs. Additional RBIs came from Zoey Arnold and Woods as part of the balanced offensive effort.

Grace Barton dominated in the circle, tossing four shutout innings while allowing only two hits and striking out two. Peyton Johnson closed out the game with a scoreless fifth inning.