SHAWNEE, Okla. — Wrapping up the NAIA Softball Opening Invite, the (RV) Freed-Hardeman University Lady Lions had a tough test against the No. 3 Southern Oregon Raiders before facing the No. 24 Baker (Kan.) University Wildcats. FHU came up short both games, first falling to SOU 7-2 before dropping the finale to Baker 2-0.
Game 1
FHU - 2
SOU - 7
The Lady Lions (0-2) fell behind early with a three-run first inning by the Raiders. FHU recorded their first base hit in the top of the third inning with a leadoff single from
Kiersten Mesler.
Southern Oregon (9-0) continued their hot start by adding runs in the fourth, fifth, an sixth innings. The Lady Lions plated their first run of the season in the top of the seventh when
Karli Quillin drove hom
Kiersten Mesler while an error also allowed
Christa Warren to score.
FHU was led offensively by the two-hit games from
Myleah Hardy and
Kiersten Mesler.
Anna Rogers (0-1) was saddled with the loss after four innings of effort.
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Game 2
Baker - 2
FHU - 0
A pitcher's duel from start to finish, the Lady Lions (0-3) saw their chances evaporate with two one-run innings. Back-to-back walks from
Chloe Carter and
Myleah Hardy was followed by a passed ball, but the Wildcats escaped the inning unharmed.
A two-out error in the top of the second provided the Wildcats (3-4) to strike first. Hardy tagged a double in the bottom of the third, but could advance no further.
Kiersten Mesler added a base hit in the top of the fourth before Carter joined with a single in the fifth inning. A passed ball and a double in the sixth put the game out of reach in the 2-0 loss.
Kiersten Mesler recorded two of FHU's five hits in the defeat. Kyle Bown (0-2) had a complete game outine where whe punched out five hitters and allowed just one earned run.
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Up Next
The Lady Lions return to Henderson for their home opener in a weekend series between Freed-Hardeman, Lindsey Wilson, Williams Baptist (Ark.), and St. Francis (Ind.) on February 28 - March 1.
