Softball dropped game #4 to Northwestern Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon as one big inning did them in. The Cougs lost 13-5, with the Rangers scoring a deadly 11 runs in the bottom of the fourth.
 
The Cougars started the scoring in the top of the second with several confident hits, and smart plays. CCU catcher, Amy Edison singled to left center to run Stephanie Day in, and then Baylee Johnson doubled to right field for Haley Anderson to score. Leftfielder Shelbie Day stepped up to the plate and advanced off an error by Northwestern's pitcher which allowed Johnson to score run #3.
 
CCU did a good job at getting on base, and benefited from a couple more errors by the Rangers, which resulted in two more runs for the Cougs in the top of the fourth inning. The bases were loaded and Letty Valenzuela was up to bat. NOSU walked Valenzuela (RBI), and Shelbie Day across home plate. Hanna Farmer scored the fifth run off a dropped fly by the Ranger's second baseman. Oklahoma was a mess in the field, and allowed the Cougars three unearned runs.
 
The Cougars were comfortable and poised as they went into the next frame. They were up by five with five hits, solid pitching, and a lethargic opponent. Quickly the atmosphere changed from assurance to urgency in the fourth inning. Northwestern got the bases loaded, and then the scoring started. Two missed routine pop ups and a ground ball cost the Cougs. There were several misplayed balls, and then with some walks and a few Ranger hits, Christian was down 11-5, allowing six unearned runs. NOSU went on to score two more runs in the fifth as CCU stalled.
 
Starting for the Cougs was #8 Kenzie Mattey. Mattey piched 3.1 innings, with four hits, four runs, three walks and two strike-outs. #20 Sarah Probasco took the loss pitching .1 innings with four hits, and five runs, only one being earned. Closing for CCU was #31 Kelsea Sweeney who had four hits against, four runs, two earned, and one strike-out.
 
CCU Softball finished 3-1 at the Lady Chap Invitational and will continue their preseason in Lubbock, TX on Tuesday, February 7^th vs Eastern New Mexico University.