Kansas City, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University (SBU) softball completed their Saturday doubleheader with two losses to the Rockhurst University Hawks. The two losses bring SBU's record to 19-31 on the season and 8-16 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).
Game 1: SBU 0-5 Rockhurst
The first game of the day was a defensive battle that saw strong pitching from both sides and only eight total hits. Sophomore
Abby Leer was the main Bearcat responsible for this solid pitching, throwing four strikeouts and only allowing three hits and three walks across the 4.2 innings she pitched. Freshman
Cambri Van Loo came in to relieve Leer in the bottom of the fifth inning, allowing no runs and notching a strikeout in her 1.1 innings pitched.
Keeley Elsea,
Taylor Howard, and
Graccee Brockman were the only Bearcats to record a hit in the game as they each hit for one single.
Game 2: SBU 2-7 Rockhurst
Southwest Baptist started the second game of the day strong when Elsea stole home to put the Bearcats up 1-0 in the first inning. Some strong defense from the team in purple maintained the Bearcats' lead through the first inning, but the Hawks were able to equalize in the second inning. A bunt single by sophomore
Emily Titus in the top of the third led to SBU's and Elsea's second run of the game when Elsea reached home on an error in the same play. However, the Hawks were able to add four runs to their total in the bottom of the third. Additional runs for Rockhurst in the fourth and fifth innings put the game out of reach, securing their 2-7 win.
While Elsea scored SBU's only two runs of the game, Titus and freshman
Jalaya Ries led the team in hitting with two hits each. Titus went 2-3 at the plate with two singles and a stolen base, while Ries went 2-2 with two singles and two stolen bases.
Senior
Shalie Wooden was the starting pitcher for the game, throwing a complete three innings. Sophomore
Lindsey Essary and Howard each saw time in the circle as well.
Looking Forward
The Lady Bearcats wrap up the 2026 season with two away series next weekend. On Saturday, May 2, SBU will face rivals Drury University in a doubleheader with games set for 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. One day later, the Bearcats will finish their season with a series against the Missouri S&T Miners. Those games are also set for 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
