Bentonville, Ark. – The SBU softball team began their 2024 campaign today in a two-game set in Arkansas. The Bearcats fell in both games starting out the season 0-2.
 
Game 1 vs Washburn: L, 0-8
Senior Paige Leithead started on the mound for the Bearcats and recorded the loss (0-1) after pitching two innings allowing five earned runs. Six different Bearcats recorded hits on the game, with senior Kate McConville leading all with two hits. McConville, along with fellow seniors Chloee Sams and Rylee Lunn, all recorded a double in the game.
 
Game 2 vs East Central: L, 2-14
The Bearcats got off to an early start in this game striking first in the top of the 1^st inning where Grace Stearns scored off a single from Shalie Wooden. Wooden also started on the mound for the Bearcats but struggled to turn that offense into defense, recording the loss on the game (0-1). Southwest Baptist would strike again in the third inning when freshman Lucy Sadewhite scored off a scorer's choice, after an early double from Sadewhite.
 
Southwest Baptist Softball will return tomorrow for another two-game set against two MIAA schools. First, they will take on Newman University at 11:00am, then shortly after will battle Missouri Southern. The Lions currently are receiving votes in the National poll.