Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University softball team battled hard against Central Missouri on Monday afternoon, but were unable to come away with a victory, losing game one 14-2 and game two 5-4.

After losing game one 14-2, the Bearcats came ready to battle in game two. Central Missouri jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead after two innings, but the Bearcats continued to hit. The Bearcats would load the bases in both the fourth and fifth innings, but were unable to come away with any runs on the scoreboard. In the bottom of the sixth inning Hailey Turner led the inning off with a single down the left field line. Two out later, Alandria Jensen doubled down the left field line, advanced to third on the throw to the plate, and would come home on an error by the catcher to pull SBU within one at 3-2. Central Missouri added two more runs of their own in the seventh inning before SBU once again battled back. With one out in the seventh Londyn Backfisch singled up the middle, and then was brought home two batters later on a two-out homerun to center field by Nikki Jeffries to pull SBU back within one at 5-4. The Bearcats then received a single up the middle from Turner, and a double off of the left field wall by Cendyl Carter, but were unable to bring either runner home as the Bearcats fell 5-4 in game two.

In game one the Bearcats scored both of their runs in the second when McKenzie Umbarger drew a bases loaded walk, and then Backfisch hit a bases loaded single. On the day, Hailey Turner was a perfect 6-6 from the plate, while Londyn Backfisch was 4-7 and Alandria Jensen went 2-4. Jamie Penick came into the second game in a relief effort, throwing 5.1 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) to keep SBU in the game.

The Bearcats will return to action on Friday, April 19 when they host Nebraska-Kearney. Game one of the double-header is set to begin at 2:00 p.m. from the SBU Softball Field in Bolivar.