The Cougars are now 0-2, while the Bearcats improved to 8-2 overall.

USF was limited to three hits and racked up eight strikeouts. Freshman Brooke Stetzler led the Cougars at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a stolen base. Erin Scott recorded the Cougars' other hit.

USF had a good thing going in the bottom of the first inning when Stetzler led off with a bunt single and dashed to third on Katie Larson's two-out sacrifice fly, but Priscilla Quintana's ground out ended the inning.

The Bearcats opened the second frame with a lead-off single by Kristine Labertew, who moved around the horn after a sacrifice and a left field single. After a Bearcat was picked off second, Rachael Schmitz drove in the eventual winning run with a line drive single to center field.

The Cougars drew lead-off walks in the top of the second and third frames but were unable to move a runner past second base.

USF again looked like it might equal in the fifth inning after speedy Stetzler knocked a two-out single past the Bearcat short stop. Stetzler then stole second easily, but was left stranded after Larson's strikeout. 

Northwest Minnesota State would hold on as the Cougars went down 1-2-3 in the seventh inning.

Junior right-hander Amanda Walters (0-2) settled down after the second inning and was solid until the final out was in the books, scattering three harmless Bearcat singles the rest of the way.

Walters, who pitched the Cougars' season-opener last night, finished with a complete game gem in the losing effort, allowing one run on seven hits with three walks and two strikeouts.

The Cougars will face Truman State tonight at 8 p.m. in the Winona Dome.