Despite a strong outing from the Pioneers softball team last week against nationally ranked opponents, the team was unable to come up with a win at the Lindsey Wilson/Campbellsville University crossover tournament. The Pioneers (3-9) took to Columbia, Ky. to take on NAIA No. 11-ranked Lindsey Wilson Thursday and No. 4-ranked Campbellsville (18-3) (Ky.) Friday.

In the first contest against Lindsey Wilson, the Pioneers tallied one run in the top of the second after a two-out double by senior Alyssa McMurtrie. Sophomore Amber Cook followed McMurtrie’s efforts with a double of her own to bring McMurtrie home and give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead. The Blue Raiders came back in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring three runs.

Amber Hancock hit a solo home run to start the scoring rally and the inning continued to go downhill for the Pioneers from there. A hit by pitch, sacrifice bunt and a double allowed for Lindsey Wilson to take a 3-1 lead. The Blue Raiders held that lead until the end of the game.

Junior pitcher Ashley Iagnemma took the loss in the contest, tossing four innings, allowing five hits and three walks. Junior relief pitcher Tiffany Edwards finished the game, going two innings and allowing one hit and one walk.

In the nightcap, the Pioneers again came out strong, but failed to finish the game. Senior Kim Corcoran hit a triple to right field in the first inning. Corcoran came home quickly as senior Jess Beitler hit a two-run home run over the fence to give the Pioneers a 2-0 lead after the first inning.

However, the Blue Raiders did not take long to come back. After a scoreless top of the second, the Blue raiders made their presence known. After loading the bases in the bottom of the fourth, Callum Pilgrim hit a two-out grand slam to suddenly put the Blue Raiders up 4-2 after two innings.

The Pioneers fought back in the third inning as senior Lily Pruneda reached first on a walk and was brought home after Corcoran hit a double and cut the lead to 4-3. However in the bottom of the third, the Blue Raiders  added another run en route to a 5-3 win over the Pioneers.

Sophomore pitcher Katie Tarr went four innings, giving up five hits and five runs, as well as three walks. Edwards again went in for relief, going two innings and allowing no runs or walks.

The second series of last week was more of the same for the Pioneers as they faced off against Campbellsville Friday. The Pioneers dropped both games despite a well contested first game.

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning after an error at third base allowed two runners to score on one play. Cook made the error, but no more damage was done as those were the only runs the Tigers were able to muster against the Pioneers. Point Park was unable to get a run the entire game.

Freshman Maddie Horn was 2-3 at the plate and Iagnemma pitched the entire game. Iagnemma went six innings, allowing six hits, two unearned runs and striking out four batters.

Though this game was a close loss, the second game of Friday’s double-header was not similar. Campbellsville rocked the Pioneers pitching staff for nine runs in the contest.

Junior Shannon Davis was 2-2 and scored a run, but that was the end of the Pioneers offense. In the top of the fourth inning Davis hit a single and McMurtrie reached on an error. Cook made it to first base on a fielder’s choice and Davis made it to third base. Junior Brittany Zeigler hit a single that brought Davis home for the Pioneers only run of the game.

After the Tigers put up nine runs after only five innings, the game was called due to the mercy-rule.

Point Park travels to Cincinnati Christian and Ohio Christian this weekend to open River States Conference (RSC) play.