NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Trevecca Nazarene University softball team (6-3) rallied for an exciting 5-4 extra inning in game one, but lost 3-2 in game two to visiting Birmingham Southern College (1-3) on Saturday.

Game One

The Panthers controlled the game with a run in the second and two in the third for a 3-0 lead. That would stand until the bottom of the seventh when the Trojans, down to their last at bat, scored three and nearly won it in the seventh. The game went to extra innings, using the International Rule in the eighth and ninth.

With one away in the Trojan seventh, Megan Chesney singled to center field. Kayla Richards came on to pinch run for Chesney. Heather Shuler singled to center field, moving Richards to second. Shuler advanced to second and Richards to third on a Brantly ground out. Alex Richardson followed with a single, scoring Shuler and Richards. Richardson advanced to second on the throw home, setting up the game tying run on Kelsey Kemp's doubled. Lindsey Stephens followed with a single, but Kemp was thrown out at home trying to score the game winner.

Each team scored a run in the eighth, but Trevecca held Birmingham Southern in the top of the ninth before scoring the winner in the bottom half of the inning.

In the Trojan ninth, Jordan Griner was placed on second by way of the International Rule. Kaitlin Crumpler reached on a fielder's choice, but Griner was safe at third despite the Panthers attempt to get the lead runner out. Brantley walked, loading the bases with one away. Kemp was the next batter and she reached on an error that scored Griner, the winning run, from third.

Offensively Alex Richardson was 2-for-4 with a run, two RBI, and a walk. Mackenzie Leding was 2-for-3 with a double.

Haley Fagan (3-1) pitched well and was rewarded with a hard earned victory. Fagan allowed six hits and six walks while holding the Panthers to four runs (three earned) and had four strikeouts.

Bethany Front (0-2) took the loss despite pitching a terrific game. Fronk scattered nine hits and shutout the Trojans through six and a third innings. Fronk walked one and gave up five runs, but only three were earned. She had three strikeouts.

In all Trevecca amassed nine hits, but aided BSC's cause with four errors.

 Game Two

The Panthers struck first again in game two, this time they would hold on for their first win of the year.

BSC scored two runs in the top of the first. Bethany Fronk doubled to lead off the game. Her double was followed by a pair of singles, that loaded the bases, and a double by Taylor Bassett that drove in the first two runs of the game.

The Panthers made it 3-0 with a run in the third that came by way of a Torrie Garner home run.

Trevecca's bats woke up much sooner in game two, but they could only strike twice, both coming in the third. Megan Chesney led off the Trojan third with a double to left field. Heather Shuler followed with a walk. An out later Alex Richardson singled to load the bases. An out later Lindsey Stephens drove in two with an RBI single to center, but the Trojans would go scoreless the rest of the way and fall, 3-2, for just the third time this season.

Trevecca produced five hits, no one with more than one safety. Shuler and Richardson scored the only runs and Stephens had the lone RBI's.

Stephens (2-1) took the loss in the circle, her first of the year. Stephens started and pitched three innings. She allowed seven hits, three runs, and three walks while striking out three. Sammie Jo Ivy pitched the final four for Trevecca and gave up two hits and a while striking out two.

Fronk, who lost the opener for BSC, picked up the win and is now 1-3 on the year. Fronk came on in relief to pitch the final four innings and allowed just two hits, no runs, and a walk.

Trevecca travels to McKenzie, Tenn. to take on Bethel University (0-2) on Tuesday, February 25th.