KEARNEY, Nebraska – The Northwest Missouri State University softball team came up short in a pair of one-run decisions at the University of Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday.

UNK won by scores of 7-6 and 4-3.

Game One
The Bearcats scored in the first inning on an RBI from Kaitlyn Weis allowing Olivia Daugherty to cross the plate, grabbing a 1-0 lead.

The Lopers answered in the bottom of the first with an RBI, tying the game 1-1. Nebraska-Kearney scored four runs in the bottom of the third, pushing the lead 5-1 over the Bearcats. The Lopers scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, advancing its lead to 7-1.

The Bearcats rallied in the top of the sixth scoring five runs. Kiana Baderdeen had an RBI allowing Daugherty to score. Sydne Brashear hit a three-run homer to left field. Next at bat, Karli Allen homered to left field.

The sixth inning rally wasn’t enough for the Bearcats as the Lopers went on to win, 7-6.

Game Two
The Bearcats were the first to score again in the top of the fourth inning. Kiana Baderdeen had an RBI single to right field, bringing in Jaedra Moses to score. Karli Allen hit a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Kaitlyn Weis to score to grab a 2-0 lead.

Nebraska-Kearney scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the lead 3-2 over the Bearcats.

Weis doubled to left center in the top of the fifth, allowing Ady Watts to score and tie the game at 3-3.

The Lopers scored one run in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead and the contest, 4-3.
The Bearcats will be back in action Sunday in a doubleheader against Fort Hays State in Hays, Kansas beginning at 12 p.m.

NOTES: Kaitlyn Weis leads the squad with a batting average of .421 … she has also tallied eight home runs and 21 RBI … Olivia Daugherty is slugging .412 with four home runs and 21 RBI … Erin Keeney leads the squad in RBI with 30 Keeney has also registered six home runs and is batting .295.

— Northwest Athletics —