The Northwest Missouri State softball team opened its season at the Arkansas-Monticello 8-State Classic Friday where the Bearcats fell to Arkansas Tech., 9-4, in game one and SW Oklahoma St. in game two, 4-0.

Arkansas Tech took an early lead going up 5-0 in the top of the second inning.

Northwest was able to get on the board in the bottom of the third inning when Baylee Scarbrough singled in Paige Orwig from second.

Chantel Adams and Kailee Sherer both crossed home plate in the fifth inning to bring the Bearcats within two, down 5-3.

ATU pushed four runs across in the top of the sixth inning while Northwest was only able to answer with one run the rest of the way out as they fell, 9-4.Sarah Baldwin was tagged with the loss in game one.

Abbie Vitosh took the circle in game two for the Bearcats. Vitosh gave up four runs in the first inning and then proceeded to shut down the SWOSU offense holding them to three hits in seven innings.

The offense was shutout for Northwest as they struggled, leaving seven runners on base in the game.

Adams went 2 for 3 in game two after going 2 for 2 in game one.

Vitosh went the distance earning the complete game while taking her first loss of the season.

The Bearcats will turn around and play Saturday as they take on Harding in game one with first pitch scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Northwest will take on Illinois-Springfield in game two, which is slated to start at 11:30 am.

— Northwest Sports Information —