BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The Northwest Missouri State University softball team closed out its play in the Alvy Early Classic with a nine-inning loss to Southern Arkansas University, 6-4.

Northwest (1-8 overall) produced four runs on eight hits and committed one error. Southern Arkansas (4-5 overall) notched six runs on 11 hits and also committed one error.

Grace Ruehle launched a two-run homer in the bottom of the second to give Northwest a 2-0 lead.

SAU cut the lead in half with an unearned run in the top of the third.

The Bearcats pushed its lead to 4-1 when Aubrey Griffith homered with Lauren Gray on base in the bottom of the fourth. 

The Muleriders evened it up at 4-4 in the top of the fifth with a three-run home run.

SAU was able to tally two runs in the top of the ninth on a two-run homer to give the Muleriders a 6-4 advantage.

Northwest was unable to answer in the bottom of the ninth and dropped its third straight game on the weekend.

The Bearcats are scheduled to take part in the ESU 5-State Classic next weekend in Emporia, Kan. Northwest will play Missouri St. Louis (Fri., 10 a.m.), Minnesota State (Fri., 2:30 p.m.), Quincy (Sat., 10 a.m.), Truman State (Sat., 2:30 p.m.), Minnesota-Duluth (Sun., 9:15 a.m.) and Wayne State (Sun., 11:30 a.m.).

NOTES: Christina Campbell started the game in the circle for Northwest ... Campbell pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits ... Campbell struck out three ... Breck Dickey took the loss in relief as she pitched 2 2/3 innings ... Dickey allowed two runs and two hits ... Dickey walked four and struck out four ... Hayden Simmons finished the game in the circle ... she faced two batters and recorded one strikeout ... Grace Ruehle went 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs and two RBI. Read Full Article