DuBOIS, PA — Mississippi University for Women softball saw its cinderella run to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Small College World Series championship come up short on Tuesday in a 10-9 loss to No. 2 seeded Penn State Brandywine.
Down 8-5 headed into the top of the seventh inning against the No. 9 seeded Owls (25-20) needed late-inning magic to have a chance to keep its season alive.
MUW scored four runs in the seventh, taking a 9-8 lead over the Nittany Lions (37-8), but that lead was short-lived as Penn State Brandywine came back, scoring twice in the bottom-half, including a walk-off RBI single.
“Wow. What a ride,” MUW head coach Buddy Foster said. “This team, their grit and their dedication to one another was impressive to watch. Those student-athletes represented The W very well and we have felt the love from Columbus.”
Rylie Grisham completed the game on the mound, throwing six innings, but struggled, giving up 12 hits, 10 runs and six walks over her outing.
Overall, the Owls had 13 hits on nine runs scored, including a two-run home run from Riley Phillips that started MUW’s four-run seventh.
The W played from behind from the start, trailing 3-0 after the first, but rallied back twice, taking leads in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively.
This was the first time that the Owls reached the final of the USCAA World Series in program history, improving on two previous third place finishes.
After falling into the losers bracket on a 13-12 extra-innings loss to No. 1 seeded Florida National, the Owls went on a tear, rattling off five-straight wins to reach the final. This season’s 25 wins is now the most wins in a season in program history.
“We had so many outstanding performances throughout this week,” Foster said. “I could go on and on. We walked off that field with our heads held high.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion