The Northwest Missouri State softball team opened play at the MWSU Apple Market Classic on Friday in St. Joseph, Mo.

The Bearcats outlasted Upper Iowa in the first game, 3-2, while Northwest lost to Minnesota State 10-6 in their season game.

The Bearcats are now 8-10 on the year.

In game one, Sarah Baldwin started in the circle for the Bearcats and finished her sixth complete game of the year, giving up two unearned runs on seven hits while striking out seven.

Rebecca Maher scored two runs on a pair of singles. The freshman also stole her third base on the year, while Stephanie Mark crushed her sixth home run on the year, finishing 1-for-2 with two RBI.  Madison Jones finished 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and Jessica Rawie added an RBI for the Bearcats.

In game two, Cassidy Lee tallied three hits at the plate and drove in two runs, while Chantel Adams clubbed her second homer this season, scoring two runs and driving in one.  Torri Blythe finished 2-for-4 with a run and Stephanie Mark scored one run and drove in another on a pair of singles.

Kendle Schieber started on the rubber for the Bearcats, giving up five earned runs on 11 hits over 4 2/3 innings.

The Bearcats will return to St. Joseph, Mo. Saturday for another pair of non-conference games. First, Northwest faces off with #14 Winona State at 10 a.m. before a 2 p.m. contest against Wayne State.

— Northwest Sports Information —