ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Maryville University softball lost a pair of games in a Monday afternoon doubleheader against Missouri Western State University. The Saints were edged out 2-1 in game one before a 4-2 loss in game two.
 
Game One Recap
The Griffons loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning, but freshman starting pitcher Ella Ludden got the Saints out of the jam with her third strikeout of the inning. Missouri Western responded with an RBI double in the bottom of the second to open an early 1-0 lead.
 
Opposing starter Sydney Rader kept Maryville scoreless until the top of the sixth inning. With two outs in the frame, freshman Cailynn Gdowski hit the first home run of her collegiate career to tie the game at one. 
 
The Griffons got the run back in the bottom half of the sixth, loading the bases with two outs for Bubba Hoelscher who singled home the go-ahead run. A second runner trying to score on the play was thrown out from right field by Brooklyn Moore to get Maryville out of the inning.
 
Rader finished off the complete-game win in the seventh to seal up a 2-1 Griffons win. Ludden went the distance in her second collegiate start, working six innings with two earned runs and 10 strikeouts. 
 
Winning Pitcher: S. Rader (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Ella Ludden (0-2)
  
Batting Leaders
Cailynn Gdowski: 1-for-3, HR, RBI
 
Game Two Recap
Missouri Western jumped out to another early lead on a Hoelscher RBI single in the top of the first inning. They added two more in the bottom of the second on a wild pitch and an RBI single from Abby Dickey. 
 
The Saints cut into the lead in the top of the third when Gdowski singled with one out and came home to score on an error by the Griffons' third baseman. 
 
After surrendering a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth, Maryville pulled within two in the sixth on a Kylie Swinney single through the left side of the infield that plated Emily Corona. Natalie Kissinger came in for relief for Missouri Western and worked out of the jam with the lead intact. She finished off the save and a 4-2 Griffon win in the seventh.  
 
Winning Pitcher: H. Pruetting (1-1)
Losing Pitcher: Chayse Ramey (1-4)
Save: N. Kissinger (1)
  
Batting Leaders
Kylie Swinney: 2-for-3, RBI
Cailynn Gdowski: 1-for-4, R
 
Records:
Maryville: 1-8
Missouri Western: 2-2
 
What's Next?
The Saints open the Washburn Tournament on Friday, Feb. 23, in Topeka, Kan. The Saints take on Newman University in game one at 2 p.m., followed by a game two meeting with Fort Hays State University at 4 p.m.
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