ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State softball team dropped game one against Missouri Western, 5-0, but came back to take game two from their rival with a 5-3 victory Tuesday.

The Bearcat offense could not get the balls to fall their way in game one, as they managed to put 23 balls in play during the game, but only managed three hits.

Abbie Vitosh was tagged with the loss in the 5-0 defeat.

Game two was a different story for the Bearcat offense as they totaled 10 hits in the contest.

The Griffons were first to get on the board when they put up two runs in the bottom of the third inning.

The big inning came in the top of the fifth for Northwest as Taylor Blackford led off with a walk. Torri Blythe reached on a single up the middle, which was followed by an RBI single off the bat of Jordan Ereth. Kristen Uthe hit an infield single to load the bases with one out.

Steph Mark ripped a single to left field to plate Blythe and tie the game up at 2-2. The Bearcats took the lead when Chantel Adams hit a fielder's choice that scored Ereth from third. The final blow in the big inning came when Taszia Roseberry hit a single down the right field line that scored Mark and Adams.

When it was all said and done, Northwest went into the bottom of the fifth inning holding a 5-2 lead.

MWSU got one run back in the sixth from a solo home run, but that would be it as Sarah Baldwin was able to shut the Griffons down the rest of the way out to secure the 5-3 victory.

Baldwin went the distance for the complete game earning the win as she gave up only four hits, struck out four and gave up only two earned runs.

With the victory the Bearcats move to 4-11, 1-5 on the season. Northwest will continue conference play as they head to Southwest Baptist for a double header Friday, with game one slated to start at 3 p.m.