Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Freed-Hardeman Lady Lion softball team dropped a pair of games Wednesday afternoon in the AMC Tournament, as they fell 4-2 to Central Baptist College followed by a 6-5 loss to Park University.

In the opening game of the day, the Lady Lions (31-13) fell behind early and struggled to mount a comeback, as the Mustangs (34-17) pushed three runs across in the bottom of the third inning along with an insurance run in the fifth inning to secure the win.

FHU, on the other hand, struggled to find their bats in the early going, as they went scoreless through three innings before pushing a run across in the top of the fourth inning. The Lady Lions managed another run in the seventh inning, but it would not be enough, as the Mustangs secured the 4-2 victory.

Despite the loss, Mallory Spurlock was solid in the circle, as she worked six innings and allowed five hits and two earned runs while striking out 10 batters. Makenzie Prince led the Lady Lions at the plate, as she went 3-for-4 on the day while Annaka Baxter went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in the loss.

In the second game of the day, the Lady Lions held a 5-3 lead following six innings of play, but could not stop a late comeback by Park University (20-21), as the Pirates pushed three runs across in the bottom of the seventh inning to secure th 6-5 victory.

Despite the loss, the Lady Lions pounded out eight hits, led by Annalise Jarnagin and Abbi Gooch, who each went 2-for-3 on the day. Morgan Warren also had a solid day at the plate, as she went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI in the loss.

With the Wednesday sweep, the Lady Lions fall to 31-13 on the season. Despite being eliminated from the AMC Tournament, the Lady Lions secure their spot in the NAIA Softball National Tournament as a result of capturing the AMC Regular Season Championship at the end of the regular season.