NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville University softball dropped the first game of the Music City Invitational to Harding University 6-5 on Friday afternoon. The Saints jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the top of the third before allowing the Bisons to secure a walk-off win in the seventh.  
 
Harding Recap
Aleigha Cory put the Saints ahead with the game's first run in the top of the second with a single through the left side to bring home Kylie Swinney. Emily Corona and Erin Sammelmann followed up with RBI singles of their own to extend the lead to 3-0 before a bases-loaded walk to Emersen Heron pushed the lead to four.
 
After Harding plated a run in the bottom of the second, Maryville responded with a run in the third. Melanie Nelson doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a throwing error. Shingler brought her home in the next at bat with a single.
 
The Bisons got two back in the bottom of the third before the Saints worked out of trouble. A two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth tied the game at five.
 
The game remained deadlocked at five until a leadoff walk led to a walk-off fielders choice in favor of Harding to give them a 6-5 final.
 
Winning Pitcher: LilyTanski (2-0)
Losing Pitcher: Emily Senjan (0-1)
  
Batting Leaders
Melanie Nelson: 3-for-4, 2B, 2 R
Taylor Shingler: 1-for-3, RBI, R, BB
Aleigha Cory: 1-for-3, RBI, R
 
Records:
Maryville: 4-6
Harding: 8-2
  
What's Next?
The Music City Invitational continues on Saturday, Feb. 18, as Maryville will take on Kentucky Wesleyan at 3 p.m., followed by Northwood University at 5 p.m.