MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor softball team split a Friday doubleheader at Rhodes College, falling 8-2 in the first game before rallying for a 7-6 game-two win. The Cru improved to 5-5 on the season on the day.
 
UMHB got on the board first with Ryleigh Mills hitting a sacrifice fly to score Ava Perlinger in the first inning. That lead held until the second inning when the Lynx scored three runs to take the lead. UMHB allowed just one base runner in the third before Rhodes added three more runs off a double in the fourth inning, extending the margin to five runs. The Lynx added two more runs off a single in the sixth to take an 8-1 lead. Vic Shimabukuro added one more run in the seventh for the Cru but Rhodes held on, sealing the 8-2 victory.
 
Macy Alewine, Shimabukuro and Bralyn Belk each recorded a hit for UMHB. Allie Dafoe took the loss in the circle, throwing three innings with eight hits and four runs allowed. Beth Ann Johnston threw three innings in relief, giving up four runs and six hits in her outing.
 
UMHB totaled two runs on three hits with two errors while Rhodes tallied eight runs on 14 hits with no errors.
 
The Cru had a scoring opportunity in the first inning of game two but got picked off, keeping the contest scoreless. UMHB pitched out of a jam in the first inning and allowed just one base runner in the second. Rhodes capitalized on a bases-loaded inning in the third, scoring a pair of runs off a double and two more off a single to take a four-run lead.
 
Sara Pelache drove in a run in the fourth inning, hitting a single to score Jordan Iverson. Alewine added another run in the fifth inning, hitting a solo home run to right centerfield. Ava Jolley followed, scoring on a wild pitch before Pelache drove in Iverson again with another single, tying the game at four.
 
UMHB tacked on three more runs in the sixth inning to take a 7-4 lead. The Lynx added two more runs in the sixth but UMHB held them off, ending the game in a 7-6 UMHB win.
 
Alewine led the Cru with three hits, followed by Jolley and Pelache with two each. Alewine, Jolley and Iverson each scored a team-high two runs while Iverson and Pelache both drove in two.
 
Katherine Neal pitched 2.2 innings with four runs and four hits allowed while Ella Gamblin threw 4.1 innings, giving up three hits and two runs.
 
UMHB totaled seven runs on nine hits with three errors while the Lynx had six runs on seven hits with four errors.
 
UMHB returns to action on Saturday, February 28^th in a noon doubleheader against Huntingdon College in Memphis.