Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Bolivar, Mo. - In two low scoring games against Newman University, the Southwest Baptist University Softball team won the first 2-0 but lost the second 1-0. With the split, SBU's record goes to 11-14 (1-1 MIAA) and Newman's moves to 5-27.

Game 1 Recap 
Following a scoreless 1st inning, the Bearcats snatched the lead with a run in the bottom of the 2nd. Miranda Aguiliar led off with a walk and was then pinch ran for by Kelcee Welch. Welch moved to second on an errant pickoff throw from the Newman pitcher. After two Bearcat outs, Kaley Hansen delivered with an RBI single up the middle to score Welch. That would prove to be the only run SBU starting pitcher Claire Miller would need. However, the Bearcats tacked on another run in the bottom of the 4th. Aguiliar got things going again for SBU with a one out double to right center. Kori Hillenburg pinch ran for Aguiliar this time and later scored with two outs on a fielder error by the Jets 3rd baseman.

Newman's only legitimate scoring chance against Miller came in the top of the 5th but Miller stranded their two runners with an inning ending strikeout. Miller retired the Jets easily in the 6th and 7th on her way to her 8th win, 12th complete game, and 5th shutout of the season. She also struck out 7 and walked 1. The Bearcat hitters totaled 3 hits in the game from Aguiliar, Hansen, and Morgan McMullin. Hillenburg and Welch scored the lone runs for SBU while Hansen collected the only RBI of the game.   

Game 2 Recap
Despite stellar pitching performances from starter Hunter Middleton and Miller in relief, the Bearcat bats struggled to get any offensive momentum going. In the bottom of the 2nd, SBU had a prime scoring chance when Emily Hall and Aguiliar combined for back-to-back hits to put runners on the corners with one out. However, the Jets pitcher got Lauren Strobel to pop out and Jayden Gonzales to strike out and end the threat. In the bottom of the 3rd, Jaidyn Mawhinney put herself in scoring position with two outs but Megan Schellert flied out.

Newman pushed across the only run of the game in the top of the 4th off Middleton. With a runner on 3rd and one out, the Jets executed a squeeze play that allowed their runner to cross home safely. Middleton pitched solidly into the 5th and was replaced by Miller, who threw the final 2.2 innings. The Bearcats showed a little life in the bottom of the 6th when Mawhinney led off with a single but the next three Bearcat hitters were retired. The Bearcats went down in order in the bottom of the 7th and Newman claimed the 1-0 win. 

Middleton tossed 4.1 innings with 2 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 4 hits allowed. In the final 2.2 innings, Miller allowed 3 hits, walked none, and struck out 4. Miller's 9.2 scoreless innings today over the two games lowered her season ERA to 2.33. At the plate, the Bearcats also totaled only 3 hits in the game that came off the bats of Mawhinney, Aguiliar, and Hall. 

SBU will now head out on the road to Nebraska Kearney to play a doubleheader starting at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 23rd.