WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College softball dropped both ends of a home doubleheader Tuesday against Ottawa University, falling 8-0 in the opener and 11-2 in the finale at Broadway Sports Complex.
In Game 1, the Moundbuilders were limited to just one hit — a single by junior designated player Tiara Henry — in a complete-game shutout tossed by Ottawa's Lily Becker. Southwestern couldn't generate much offense and struggled against a Braves team that racked up 16 hits.
Ottawa opened the scoring in the first inning after an RBI from A. Spencer and an RBI triple by Z. Butts. The Braves added two more runs in the fifth and pulled away with a four-run seventh, highlighted by a two-run double from Butts and an RBI double from M. Dunn.
Sophomore Faith Campbell pitched five innings for Southwestern, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits. Freshman Morgan Shaw finished the final two innings, surrendering four earned runs on nine hits.
In Game 2, the Builders showed more life at the plate but couldn't keep pace with Ottawa's explosive offense. Southwestern collected 10 hits, including multi-hit performances from Junior outfielder Lainey Hardman (2-for-3), junior second baseman Jolie Boyd (2-for-2, RBI), and freshman right fielder Emily Garza (2-for-4).
Despite the offensive improvement, Ottawa capitalized on scoring opportunities early and often, tallying 11 runs on 15 hits. The Braves opened the game with three runs in the first and continued to tack on runs in nearly every inning.
Boyd drove in a run with a single in the fifth, while freshman outfielder Mackenxie Reinert added an RBI groundout in the fourth. Senior pitcher Emma Willesden went the distance for the Moundbuilders, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) over six innings.
