GREAT FALLS, Mont. – For the third time in the last four doubleheaders UGF softball split with a Cascade Conference opponent, this time losing 4-0 to Southern Oregon University at home in Game 1 and then winning 8-6 in game two with a rally in the bottom of the sixth. 

Starting in the circle for Game 1 was UGF's senior pitcher Keeley Van Blaricom (14). The week 1 CCC Pitcher of the Week kept a clean sheet through the first three innings and though her shutout bid was broken in the top of the fourth, the run was an unearned effort by way of a UGF error.

In the bottom of the inning, a double from junior Hali Gruntowicz (19) ended the Raider's no hitter, UGF hit into an inning ending double play on the next at bat. SOU scored its first earned run off Van Blaricom in the fifth and added two more in the 7th.

Both teams moved to a different pitcher for Game 2 and the Lady Argos immediately provided freshman Brie Clifford (12) the run support they couldn't give to Van Blaricom. Senior Chloe Cross (3) led off the bottom of the first with a walk and from there UGF took advantage of Raider errors.

Senior Alex Lowry (14) reached first off of an SOU error that also sent Cross to third. Cross then scored the game's first run off of a passed ball that advanced her home and Lowry to third. Junior Alex Keeler (13) then stole second after reaching first on a walk. Another passed ball and then an error eventually brought both Lowry and Keeler home before SOU ended the inning.

The Raiders climbed back in the next two innings, and after a few more single run innings for each team, the Lady Argos came to bat in the bottom of the sixth down 6-5.

An error and two walks loaded the bases for Lowry with one out and the while the senior grounded out to first, she drove in the game tying run. A single from Keeler then brought the remaining runners at second and third fully around the diamond to score the winning and insurance runs.

Junior pitcher Shelby Abeyta (28), who came in to relieve Clifford during the fifth inning, then forced to fly outs before striking out the final Raider batter to win the game 8-6.

The split puts the UGF's record at 9-9 (3-5). Their Game 2 win marks the programs first home win as members of the CCC. The team will look to win its second and third CCC home games when they host Carroll College on Tuesday, March 22 starting 4 p.m.