St. Louis – Maryville University softball extended its conference winning streak to four games on Monday after taking down the Truman State Bulldogs in a doubleheader. The Saints won a 7-6 battle before emerging with a 5-1 win in the finale in games that were moved from Kirksville to St. Louis.
 
Game 1 Recap
The Saints grabbed a lead in the top of the first when Emersen Heron doubled home Melanie Nelson, who pinch ran after Taylor Duff was hit by a pitch. Truman tied it in the bottom of the first before the Saints tallied three in the third. Taylor Shingler walked, and Duff followed with a double. Emily Corona hammered a two-run double to left center and later came around to score on a wild pitch for a 4-1 lead. Truman scored two in the bottom of the third to pull to within 4-3.
 
In the fifth, Heron doubled and scored on Erin Sammelman's infield single. Truman answered to make it 5-4. Tori Forbeck doubled in the sixth, stole third and scored on an error. Shingler, who had walked earlier, swiped second and scored on Heron's RBI double for a 7-4 lead. The Bulldogs closed to within 7-6 heading to the bottom of the seventh. However, Heron took over in the circle and retired three straight to preserve the win.
 
Game 1 
Winning Pitcher: Reagan Smith (2-3)
Losing Pitcher: Annabel Zimmer (0-1)
Save: Emersen Heron
  
Game 1 Hitting Leaders:
Emersen Heron: 3-4, 3 2B, 2 RBI, R
Emily Corona: 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R
Tori Forbeck: 2-3, 2B, R
 
Game 2 Recap
Heron recorded nine strikeouts to pace the efforts in game two. Kylie Swinney lashed a double to left and took third on a Nelson sac bunt. Sammelman smacked an RBI double down the line in left for a 1-0 edge. Heron doubled to lead off the top of the fourth and took third on an infield out. Nelson beat out a hit to the pitcher for a 2-0 lead. Lexi Touchette singled to left center to bring home Sammelman and Nelson for a 4-0 margin.
 
Heron held Truman hitless until the bottom of the fourth and she drove in the fifth run of the game for a 5-0 lead. The Bulldogs pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh but the Saints cruised to their fourth straight win.
 
Game 2 
Winning Pitcher: Emersen Heron (5-1)
Losing Pitcher: Nicole Havel (0-1)
  
Game 2 Hitting Leaders:
Lexi Touchette: 1-3, 2 RBI
Taylor Shingler: 2-4, SB, R
Melanie Nelson: 2-2, 2B, RBI
 
Records:
Maryville: 9-8, 4-0 GLVC
Truman State: 6-13, 1-3 GLVC
 
What's Next?
Conference play continues Saturday, March 19, as the Saints take on Rockhurst University at the Maryville Athletic Complex. The first pitch is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.