CALDWELL, Idaho – UGF softball split their second consecutive Cascade Collegiate Conference doubleheader, losing to (RV) College of Idaho 8-2 in game 1 before winning game 2, 5-2 with a three run top of the seventh.

The Lady Argo's pitching struggled at the start of game 1, allowing seven runs in the first three innings. Senior Shelby Houska settled down in relief after the third and in the top of fourth, UGF scored its first run of the day.

That first score came by way of an RBI single to second by junior Hali Gruntowicz that drove in junior Alissa Keeler. Keeler had reached base off of a double to left center. The Lady Argos scored one more run in the top of the fifth but couldn't garner nearly enough points to overcome the Yote's eight runs.

Things turned around for UGF with senior Keeley Van Blaricom inside the pitching circle. Van Blaricom allowed two earned runs in her fourth complete game of the season.

Both teams' pitching and defense held up for the first three innings but once again Great Falls found ways to score in the top of the fourth. Keeler and Regan Rucks both reached base off of C of I errors and junior Jackie Thomas reached on a single to left field. Keeler and Thomas were then driven in off of a two RBI single from senior Jocelyn Kaufman.

The Yotes answered with their first run off of Van Blaricom in the bottom of the fourth and scored another in the sixth. That second run tied the score at two heading into the seventh.

After a leadoff groundout, senior Chloe Cross singled to the catcher and advanced to second on another ground out. That brought Alex Lowry to the plate with two outs and the senior proceeded to double to right center, sending Cross home for the winning run. Van Blaricom then doubled to right center to bring in Lowry and give herself and insurance run.

She wouldn't need that insurance as she forced the Yotes into two groundouts and a foul out. Van Blaricom finished the game with a six strikeouts and just one walk.

The doubleheader wraps up the team's first weekend of conference competition as a member of CCC. They leave Caldwell with a record of 8-6 (2-2). Their next competitions will be their home open, a March 19th contest against (3) Oregon Institute of Technology. Game 1 will start at noon.