GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence and Carroll softball teams split their doubleheader on Thursday. The Saints (13-29, 7-27) defeated the Argos (5-28, 5-22) 11-2 in the first game, but the Argos overcame an early three-run deficit to win 7-6 in extra innings.

"That second game was really exciting," head coach Joey Egan said. "We got down early but we didn't back down. We finally punched back. There were multiple times where our backs were against the wall but we didn't give in. We just kept pushing."

In the first game, the Saints got on the board first with a run in the first inning. The Argos responded immediately when Macy Mangold brought Taylor Mathews home with a double in the bottom of the first. The Saints expanded their lead in both the third and fourth innings, expanding the lead to 5-1 going into the sixth inning.

The Argos managed a run in the bottom of the sixth off a Peyton Elliot homer. However the Saints scored six runs in the top of the seventh to secure the victory.

Down 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth in the second game, Macy Mangold hit a solo shot to cut the deficit to two. The Saints scored two runs in the top of the sixth, but the Argos responded with two runs of their own. McKenzie Staats brought home Ashlee Anderson early in the inning to cut the lead to three. Staats later scored off a single from Sarah Bury to make it 5-3 going into the seventh.

After holding the Saints, Ashlee Anderson hit a two-run homer to tie the game. The Argos had runners on first and third with two outs but couldn't convert to send it to extra innings. After a scoreless eighth inning, the Saints got a run off a sacrifice fly to take a 6-5 lead in the ninth inning.

The Argos responded however. McKenzie Staats took the plate with runners on second and third. Taylor Mathews scored on a passed ball and Sam Hernandez advanced to third. Staats singled to left field to bring Hernandez home and win the game for the Argos.  

"It was an exciting finish," Egan said. "I'm hoping that this gives us some momentum heading into tomorrow. I really want to win this series."

The Argos outhit the Saints 8-7 in the second game. They also won despite committing more errors than the Saints (5-1).

The two teams will meet again tomorrow at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The day will double as senior day for the Argo senior class.