INDEPENDENCE, Kan. - The Independence Softball returned from Spring Break rejuvenated offensively as they combined for 31 runs in a two game sweep of MidAmerica Nazarene JV, winning game one 19-7 before winning game two 12-4. 

In game one, the Pirates did all of their damage in just two innings, as MNU jumped ahead 2-0 in the first before the Pirates batted around twice and plated 13 runs in the bottom of the first. MNU was able to get the bats going again in the top of the third, where they plated four runs to cut the Pirate lead to seven. Once again Indy did a great job responding, as another big inning resulted in six runs and put the game out of reach again as the Pirates finished game one in five innings, winning 19-7. 

Londyn Dempster and Na’Brai’Jhanae Phillips each had multi-hit games, while Maddison Wammock and Alexis Yarnell drove in four runs and six runs respectively. Phillips also drove in a trio of runs, while Madyson Paxton and Jordyn Hook each drove in a pair of runs. 

In the circle, Londyn Dempster was very effective in relief, getting the final eight outs of the contest and only surrendering two hits and one earned run while striking out a batter. 

In game two, it was MNU striking first again as they jumped out to a four run lead in the second inning. Pirate Pitcher Athena Broaddus settled in nicely though, as she held the Pioneers off the scoreboard for the remainder of the contest, while her offense was able to put up runs in each of the final five innings, finally taking the lead with a four run bottom of the fourth. The Pirate offense got a huge lift from a pair of home runs off of the bat of Alexis Yarnell and Na’Brai’Jhanae Phillips, each of their first on the season. Leading 11-4 in the bottom of the sixth, the Pirates were able to get the leadoff runner aboard and quickly around to score to secure the two game sweep, both via the run rule. 

Dempster and Phillips each finished game two with three hits, while driving in three and five runs respectively, concluding a huge day at the plate for them, while Kamdyn Minnick and Yarnell each had multi-hit games as well. Taylor Nixon also reached base four times, and drove in two runs in the game two victory. 

Outside of the four run second inning, Broaddus was phenomenal in the circle, throwing a six inning complete game and striking out three. 

The Pirates are now 6-14-1 as they now gear up for their first conference games, as they head to Chanute to take on Neosho County, Thursday at 2:00 pm.