McPHERSON, Kan. — Southwestern College will head into Thursday's Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference softball doubleheader against McPherson College looking to snap a six-game losing streak and get back in the win column as the second half of the season heats up.

The Moundbuilders (6-14, 0-10 KCAC) have shown flashes of offensive potential, but have struggled to maintain consistency, particularly in conference play. Southwestern is batting .271 as a team but that number drops to just .221 in KCAC contests. Despite their recent slump, the Builders are hoping a matchup with the struggling Bulldogs will offer a much-needed turnaround opportunity.

McPherson (6-16, 2-8 KCAC) enters the matchup with woes of their own. The Bulldogs have lost four straight, including back-to-back doubleheader sweeps to Avila and Sterling. Their pitching staff has combined for an 8.59 ERA, and they've allowed opponents to hit .364 against them—issues Southwestern's lineup will look to exploit.

Junior catcher Tiara Henry continues to lead Southwestern offensively, hitting .385 with a .500 slugging percentage and 12 RBIs. She'll be joined in the middle of the order by Lainey Hardman (.320, 9 RBIs) and Reagan Wright (.345), two key bats the Moundbuilders will rely on to generate runs early.

Pitching has been a sore spot for both squads. Southwestern's team ERA sits at 8.11, with sophomore Faith Campbell (1-3, 6.31 ERA) logging the bulk of the innings. McPherson's rotation is led by Landri Lopez (2-7, 6.08 ERA), who has been inconsistent in recent starts.

Defensively, neither team has been particularly sharp. The Moundbuilders hold a team fielding percentage of .940, compared to McPherson's .961. However, both teams rank near the bottom of the conference in errors and opponents' stolen base efficiency.

A sweep would be pivotal for Southwestern, not only to halt the slide but also to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.

First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. CST at Bulldog Park in McPherson.