GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The University of Providence softball team fell to Carroll College in both games of the doubleheader on Wednesday, which also served as the home opener for the squad. The Argos (1-23, 0-17) fell 8-5 to the Fighting Saints (11-21, 8-12) in the first game and 11-7 in the second game.

"We played two solid games today," head coach Joey Egan said. "We just have momentary lapses in execution that cost us. We just need to continue to grind and focus on improving."

The Argos played a solid game in the opening match of the day, recording 10 hits and no errors. The Saints also recorded 10 hits in the game, but added five errors to the scoresheet. The difference came down to home runs, as the Saints hit a three-run shot in the first inning another three-run shot in the fourth inning to jump out to a 7-1 lead. Karlie David got the team back on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning, bringing home Taylor Mathews to cut the lead to five.

After blanking the Saints in the top of the fifth inning, McKenna Montgomery got the Argos back in the game. With the bases loaded and two outs on the board, Montgomery hammered a ball to left field, bringing all three runners home to cut the lead to two. However the Argos couldn't' generate much offense the rest of the game, and allowed another Saints run in the final inning to solidify their 8-5 win. 

"We made a solid effort to make a comeback," Egan said. "We're hitting the ball much better these past couple weeks. We still need to make improvements in that area but we're improving."

David, Mathews, Grace Fleming and Sirena Rosalez all recorded two hits on the day. Montgomery led the team with three RBIs while David had two. Mathews led the team with three runs scored. Montgomery got the start on the mound, recording three strikeouts.

The Argos got off to a hot start in the second game. After conceding a run in the opening inning, the squad had a dominant second inning, scoring four runs to command a 4-1 lead. Both teams scored one run each the next two innings for a 6-3 Saint lead as the teams entered the fifth inning.

The Saints kept up the offensive attack, eventually tying the game at 6 it up in the sixth inning. After the Argos failed to score, the Saints scored five runs in the final inning to take a 11-6 lead. The Argos managed to get one run back in the bottom of the 7^th, but couldn't overcome the deficit.

The Argos recorded seven hits in the second game, led by three from Rosalez and two from Macy Mangold. Rosalez and McKenzie Staats recorded two runs, while Ryen Palmer recorded two RBIs. As a team they recorded seven hits and had nine errors. 

The team will have a quick turnaround, as they'll host Northwest this weekend for a pair of doubleheaders. The first game will kick off on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Great Falls Sports Complex.

"We have to put these games behind us," Egan said. "We have another great opportunity this weekend. We're still getting better and we have another chance to prove that this weekend on our home field."