MANKATO, Minn. – The Northwest Missouri State University softball team opened its 2022 season with an 8-0 six-inning loss to the No. 11-ranked Minnesota State University Mavericks at the Portolite & Field Turf MSU Invitational held at the Mavericks All-Sports Dome.
 
Hannah Blackford led off the contest with an infield single and moved to second on a ground out by Jacee Winn. However, that would be as far as a Bearcat runner would get all game.
 
MSU starter Mackenzie Ward tossed a one-hit shutout and struck out 10 in stymying the Bearcat offense. Ward retired the final 18 Bearcats in order after the leadoff single by Blackford.
 
Bearcat starter Hayden Simmons allowed a pair of first-inning runs and three more in the second as the Mavericks built a 5-0 lead. Simmons was chased in the fifth after the first three Maverick hitters reached to push the margin to 7-0.
 
Head coach Naomi Tellez made the first pitching change of her career when she summoned Christina Campbell with a runner on first and no outs in the fifth. Campbell allowed a walk and then wriggled out of the jam with a couple of strikeouts surrounding a fielder's choice. Campbell's pitching kept the Bearcats from being downed by the eight-run in the fifth.
 
MSU was able to end the game in the bottom of the sixth after putting together a single, ground-rule double, strikeout and single to the center field wall.
 
Campbell tallied three strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings pitched of relief ball.
 
Simmons was tagged with the loss as she went 4.0 innings and allowed eight hits, seven runs (six earned). Simmons struck out four and walked three.