Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Magnolia, Ark. - The Southwest Baptist University softball team earned a split in the opening day of the Southern Arkansas Invitational, taking down Delta State 2-1 before falling to host Southern Arkansas 9-0. At the conclusion of the day, SBU now stands at 1-1 on the season.

In the Bearcats' season opener, SBU jumped on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the first inning. Catlin Evans opened the game off by drawing a walk before she stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Evans came home two batters later on a Dana Graves RBI single to take a 1-0 lead. Delta State responded with a run in the top of the 3rd, with the score remaining tied at 1-1 through the first six and a half innings of play. In the bottom of the seventh, Lyndie Routh led the inning off with a double down the left field line, was sacrificed to third, and a walkoff rbi single from Kori Hillenburg gave SBU the 2-1 victory. On the mound, Kacey Ayers threw a complete game, allowing only 3 hits to go along with 3 strikeouts.

In the second game of the day, the Bearcats were unable to put a run across the plate as SBU fell 9-0. Evans went 2-2 on the day, while Stef Lischke picked up the other Bearcat hit in the loss.

SBU will return to action on Saturday, February 6 when they take on Cameron at 2:00 p.m. followed by Texas Woman's at 4:00 p.m. from Magnolia, Arkansas.