Box Scores: TSU vs. Quincy | TSU vs. Central Missouri

JOPLIN, Mo. - - After an early schedule change, the Truman softball team dropped a pair of games on day one of the Border Battle in Joplin, Mo., on Saturday, falling 5-0 to Quincy (Ill.) and 3-2 to Central Missouri.

Quincy got on the board with a single run in the first before adding two runs in each the third and fourth innings against Truman starter Elizabeth Grover (Troy, Mo., Troy Buchanan). The Bulldogs had just four hits against QU's Torie Bunzell, including a triple by Kelsey Bollman (Maquoketa, Iowa, Mackoketa). Monica Gray led off and hit both a double and a triple, scoring both times, for the Hawks.

Then, in game two, the Bulldogs battled UCM in a non-MIAA matchup. After Central took a 2-0 lead through three innings, the Truman offense sparked to life in the four after back-to-back one-out walks. Laura Miller (Columbia, Mo., Hickman) singled to left, loading the bases in front of Bollman, who doubled to right and plated Christine Ulses (St. Peters, Mo., Francis Howell Central) and Mary Manley (Des Peres, Mo., Kirkwood ).

However, the next two 'Dogs to bat in the inning got caught looking with two runners in scoring position, and the Jennies added one in their half of the fifth for the 3-2 win. Ashley Rotkvich (Crestwood, Ill., Shepard) pitched Truman's first complete game of the season, but took the loss after striking out four.

The Bulldogs will play two more regional games on Sunday in the revamped schedule, facing Southeastern Oklahoma State at 10 am before wrapping up the event with a showdown against Rockhurst (Mo.) at noon.