GAME 1 (Box Score) Blue Mountain Christian University softball opened the 2023 campaign Friday with a 3-0 loss to Cottey College at the Louisiana Christian Invitational.
Cottey pitcher Lacey Cruz diced up the Topper offense, tossing a complete game, two-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts.
Cottey would score two in the first on an RBI double by Lauren Johnson and an RBI single by Elizabeth Thomas.
Cottey added another in the second on a fielder’s choice.
BMCU’s two hits were provided by Leslie McMahan (JR/Henderson, Tenn.) and Lane Thaxton (SO/Smiths Stations, Ala.), both singles.
The Toppers’ Jacy Weaver (JR/Lexington, Tenn.) (0-1) suffered the loss, tossing a complete game, giving up three runs on nine hits with six strikeouts.
GAME 2 (Box Score) BMCU met Missouri Baptist in Game 2 of the LCU Tournament, dropping the contest 7-2.
The Spartans picked up a run in the first, one in the third and two in the fourth capped by a two-run double by Meghan Hager in the fourth against BMCU pitcher Harley Mullins (SR/Saltillo, Miss.).
Blue Mountain would get a run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI groundout by Lane Thaxton to score Mallory Jo Mitchell (SO/Athens, Ala.).
Missouri Baptist plated three more in the top of the seventh, while Blue Mountain would get one more in the bottom of the inning on a groundout RBI by Destiny Dill (JR/Philadelphia, Miss.) to score Skylar Lee (SO/Louisville, Ky.).
Mitchell led Blue Mountain with two hits, while Natalie Archer led the Spartans with two hits and three RBI. Lee also had a triple for Blue Mountain in the seventh.
Shelby Sievers picked up the pitching win for MoBap, tossing a complete game with six hits and two strikeouts.
Mullins (0-1) suffered the loss for BMCU, tossing a complete game, giving up seven runs on nine hits with five strikeouts.
BMCU (0-2) returns to the Invitational Saturday in two more games, with Game 3 against LSUA at 9 a.m. CT and Game 4 against Missouri Baptist at 11:15 a.m. CT.
