OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Southwestern College softball team traveled south to battle the Mid America Christian University Evangels in Oklahoma City, Okla. on Wednesday afternoon. The doubleheader matchups each ended in favor of the hosting Evangels, as the Moundbuilders fell 8-0 and 12-5 in the two battles.

Southwestern seemed to struggle from the beginning of this matchup, as they were only able to tally one hit in 6 innings. On the opposite side, MACU seemed to find their rhythm quickly, as they scored three runs total across the first three innings of game one. Two RBI doubles and an RBI single gave Mid America Christian the lead 3-0 through three full.

After a scoreless fourth inning, Mid America Christian would add another four runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. A two-RBI double, an unearned run, and another run-scoring two-bagger changed the score to 7-0 for the Evangels. To finish the game early, Mid America Christian added another run in the sixth inning to earn the win in game one.

In the second game of the day, the Builders showed a good fight. A scoreless first and second inning for the Builders were responded to by a total of six runs by the hosting Evangels. A run cause by a wild pitch and two unearned runs, caused by an ensuing error in the right field, gave MACU the first three runs in the first inning. The other three runs, scored in the second inning, were created by an RBI single and two run-scoring groundouts.

Woken up by the shocking six runs, the Builders finally started to participate in the game by adding two runs to the scoreboard in the third inning. Ryleigh Branstetter reached first base on a fielder's choice and earned an RBI, as Raven Favors came home to score the first run of the day for the Builders. Shortly after, Zoe Berger singled down the left field line to earn her first RBI single of the game. Reagan Wright used Berger's hit to run home to add another run on the scoreboard.

Going into the fourth inning the Builders were only down by four runs. Being in the rhythm, the Builders were able to add another two runs on the scoreboard to close the gap to Mid America Christian. Hannah Hlavenka earned a two-RBI single as she singled to the left center, giving her teammates R. Wright and Isabel Lytle the chance to run home to change the score to 6-4.

The Evangels were able to show a quick response as they scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. A two-RBI single extended the Mid America lead to 8-4.

The Moundbuilders then added their final run of the game in the fifth inning as Alexus Johnson singled the ball up the middle to earn her first RBI. Berger ran home to score the last run for the Builders.

Mid America Christian not done yet, as they scored three more runs to win the game 12-5. An RBI single in the fifth inning, two unearned runs and another RBI single in the sixth inning made the score a final 12-5 win for Mid America Christian University.

Hannah Hlavenka led the Builders in hits and RBI's, as she notched two in both categories. Also a big contributor to the game was Zoe Berger. With three attempts at bat, she earned one run, one hit, one RBI and was walked once.

The Builders (0-7, 0-0 KCAC) are now preparing to face Southwestern Christian University on Saturday, Feb. 18 in Bethany, Okla. The Builders, still winless, are hoping to win their first game of the season in the Sooner State.

--buildersports.com--