MISSOULA, Mont. – Neither games will count towards University of Providence softball's overall record, but two exhibition losses for the Lady Argos to NCAA Division I  University  of Montana could prove to be crucial contests for the team's development and mentality.
 
Just days earlier, the team played its first outdoor games against (14) Southern Oregon University in a 4-game series. Those games didn't go well, as the Lady Argos showed the effects only have one outdoor practice all season, committing an average 5.3 errors per game in the series and getting outscored 54-10.
 
The trip down to Missoula brought dramatically different results. While UP lost both games, the scores were 3-1 and 8-0 and most importantly committed just 1 error in the two games.
 
GAME 1
 
Key Moments:

• UP was first on the board, scoring 1 run in the top of the first. Karlie Southworth (SO/Lewistown, Mont.) scored that run after hitting a single as the second batter of the inning. She moved to second base on a groundout from the next batter and then Ashton Bell (JR/Castle Dale, Utah) hit her first double of the season to bring Southworth home.
• The game swung on a 2-run third inning from the Griz that included the Lady Argo's only error of the day, a throwing error from center field that cost UP a run. The Griz also had 3 hits in the inning and though they added another run in the fifth, that rally ultimately won the game for Montana.

 
At the Plate:

• Only three Lady Argos came away with hits in the first game. Southworth and Bell were two of the three, each going 1-3 from the plate, with Gabrielle Canibeyaz (SR/Las Vegas, Nev.) also going 1-3 with a double.
• Montana's Delene Colburn was the player that did the most damage to the Lady Argos. She went 2-3 with 1 double. She drove in 1 run and scored 1 run. 

In the Circle:

• After two rough outings against SOU, senior ace Kristina George bounced back well against the Griz. She pitched a complete game, allowed 7 hits and 3 runs while striking out 4 batters and never giving up a walk.

 
Other Notes:

• With usual starter Bailey Henderson (SR/Fernley, Nev.) hurt, the start at catcher went to McKenzie Staats (FR/Great Falls, Mont.) and she finished with a team-leading 5 putouts.

 
GAME 2
 
Key Moments:

• The bottom of the second was when Montana scored the  game winning  run, but it was also key for UP staying in the game for a while longer. A walk, a series of wild pitches, and a couple singles loaded the bases with only 1 out. Another walk brought in the game's first run, but after that, UP's KJ Schweikert (FR/Columbia Falls, Mont.) forced two fielder's choices that saw UP get the force out at home to end the inning.
• The game went from close to mercy rule potential in the bottom of the fourth when Colburn hit a 3-run homer to bring the score to 6-0.

 
At the Plate:

• UP got no-hit in Game 2. The only baserunners the Lady Argos had were Karsten Williams (JR/Sandy Utah) who got hit by a pitch and Sam Hernandez (FR/Los Angeles, Calif.) who earned a walk.

 
In the Circle:

• Schweikert pitched three good innings but struggled in the last two. She ended up allowing 8 hits and 8 runs with 2 strikeouts.

WHATS NEXT:
 
For the second weekend in a row, the Lady Argos will play what is technically a 4-game home conference series on a neutral field. This time the team will travel back to Missoula to play Eastern Oregon University on Saturday, March 17 at 3/5 p.m. and Sunday, March 18 at 11a.m./1p.m.