Lady Tigers open conference play with wins against a struggling Coffeyville squad

After a dominating 12-3 win of its conference opener played Thursday in Coffeyville, the Cowley College softball team struggled to find the same consistency in the second game but escaped with a 4-3 victory over the Red Ravens to sweep the doubleheader.

Cowley, winners of four games in a row, is now 25-10 overall and 2-0 in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division. Coffeyville has now lost 15 games in a row.

In game one, Cowley pounded out 14 hits and was led by leadoff batter Kanon Goji, going 4-for-5 with three runs scored and two batted in. Goji leads the team with a .413 average. Nine-hole hitter Harper Hancock also swung the bat well, finishing 2-for-3 with three runs scored and three driven in.

"I thought we had some quality at-bats and put the pressure on Coffeyville from inning one," Cowley head coach Jenny Hoyt said.

Three Tiger pitchers combined on the win of game one.

Game two saw Cowley score three runs in the top of the seventh inning and then hang on to win 4-3.

The Tigers managed only six hits in the nightcap and were led by Emily Louderback and Jamie Molina's two hits apiece.

"I would have liked for us to find a way to play with the same edge and fire as we did in game one, Hoyt said. "Alissa Nuno came in and relieved Jaiden Swanson in a pressure situation and I felt she really did a great job in her role and provided outs for the team. I thought Jaiden started the game strong, and then we fell out of rhythm, so working on her confidence will be key this next week. 

Cowley will host a doubleheader against Hesston College on Thursday at 2 p.m. The Larks are 8-8 overall and 1-1 in conference play after splitting a doubleheader against Cloud County on Thursday.