MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State University softball team split a doubleheader with the Fort Hays State University Tigers on a blustery afternoon at Bearcat Field.

The Bearcats earned a 6-0 win in game one behind a three-hit shutout from Breck Dickey. The Tigers took the second game in six innings, 11-3.

GAME ONE
Abby Nolte got things started for Northwest with a solo homer to put them up 1-0 after two innings.

In the bottom of the third, Madison Friest hit a three-run home run of her own, bringing home Olivia Daugherty and Jacee Winn. 

Northwest added two more runs in the fourth as Skylar Pieper singled to left to record an RBI. Then at the next at bat Jacee Winn singled to left to record an RBI giving Northwest a 6-0 lead.

Both Jacee Winn and Abby Nolte went 2-for-3 at the plate as they combined for four of Northwest's seven hits.

Dickey had a fantastic day pitching as she pitched a three-hit shutout and struck out nine batters. Dickey got her fifth win of the season.

GAME TWO
Fort Hays got the game started with a solo home run and never trailed in game two of the series.

The Tigers managed to score six runs in the fourth inning, four of them coming from a grand slam.

In the bottom of the fourth, Lauren Gray hit her eighth home run of the season to cut the Hays lead to 7-1.

FHSU increased their lead to 9-1 after a two-run home run in the fifth inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Olivia Daugherty hit a solo shot, which was her eighth home run of the season. Later in the inning, Lauren Gray tallied an RBI as she doubled to bring home Abby Nolte.

Hays recorded another two-run home run in the sixth as they secured the win, 11-3, in six innings.

Raven Defrain took the loss, pitching into the fourth inning. Hayden Simmons came in for Defrain and struck out four batters.