Jackman’s Walk-Off Blast Highlights Wildcats’ Home-Opening Sweep of Morningside

BALDWIN CITY - After going 5-0 at a tournament this past weekend, (RV) Baker softball swept both games of its non-conference matchup against (RV) Morningside here Monday afternoon in the first home doubleheader of the season for BU.

With the Wildcats down to their last two outs in game one, Ashlee Jackman belted a three-run walk-off home run to steal a 5-3 victory in a dramatic opener before BU pulled out another two-run victory, 4-2, in the series finale to mark the team's eighth straight win.

Coming off her seventh career no-hitter on Saturday, Kira Baker turned in a second straight quality outing in game one, allowing just three hits over seven innings for her second victory in three days. She outdueled Morningside's starter Adeline Fliege, who held BU scoreless through five innings.

The Mustangs drew a leadoff walk to start the day and then proceeded to lay down three consecutive bunts, which resulted in the game's first run. The score remained at 1-0 for most of the contest until a two-run bottom of the sixth from the Wildcats sparked the high-scoring close as the two teams combined to score seven runs across the final 1.5 innings.

Rachel Pederson led off the sixth by reaching on an error and then moving into scoring position on a sac bunt by Sydney Kill. Jackman followed with the first of her four extra-base hits of the day, driving in Pederson on a double to tie the game at 1-1. Then, Jackman stole third and came home on the wild throw down to push the Wildcats ahead, 2-1.

After trailing for the first time, Morningside punched right back to reclaim the lead in the top of the seventh, using four walks in the frame to go back in front, 3-2.

With one out and runners at second and third, Jackman hammered the first pitch she saw from Fliege and just cleared the left-field foul pole to complete the Wildcats' comeback on a thrilling walk-off winner.

The two fringe top-25 squads battled through an intense matchup in game two as well, with Baker capitalizing on another solid performance out of the circle and coming through with timely hits early on in the nightcap.

Jordyn Beck bagged her third straight win after allowing just two runs and five hits in her seven innings of work. The junior transfer from Indian Hills CC struck out four to follow up her back-to-back wins at the Top Gun Midwest College Classic this weekend with her fourth victory of the season.

After the Mustangs were first to the scoreboard in game one, it was the Wildcats who struck first in the second game. Pederson set the stage with a one-out single before Jackman continued to terrorize the Mustangs with an RBI double to give BU a 1-0 lead.

Morningside once again had a response, though, coming right back with a run in the top of the second to tie the game at 1-1.

BU broke up the deadlock with a three-run bottom of the third, stringing together four hits, including Jackman's third double of the afternoon. After back-to-back singles from Pederson and Gracie Gallagher, Kill brought home the go-ahead run on a sac fly before Jackman laced another RBI double.

Taryn Hull capped the big inning with a two-out single up the middle that allowed Jackman to score from second and make it a 4-1 lead for BU.

Beck managed to stay in control in the circle and work around a couple of jams in the fourth and fifth innings. The Mustangs led off the fifth with a solo home run to cut the deficit to two, but Beck delivered a 1-2-3 sixth and stranded a two-out baserunner in the seventh to seal the home-opening sweep.

Playing for the first time on Cavaness Field, the Wildcats put on a spectacular display, highlighted by a handful of highlight-reel moments from their defense and pitching as well as Jackman's game-winner.

Gallagher, Pederson and Jackman all had exactly two hits in both games against the Mustangs with Pederson and Jackman each stealing a base in game one, while Gallagher had a couple of swipes in game two. Jackman's home run was her third of the spring.

With its Tuesday matchup against Ottawa being canceled due to projected inclement weather, Baker will return to action this weekend, competing at the Falcon Invite on March 6-7 in Wichita, Kan.

#BakerBuildsChampions