ST. JOSEPH, MO. – The University of Sioux Falls Softball Team (3-5) dropped a pair of games to Missouri Western (7-1) on Sunday at Griffon Softball Field. USF had eight hits in the opener but dropped an 8-3 decision. In game two, USF lost a 3-0 decision in a pitcher's duel featuring USF junior Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag and MWSU's Kelly Uthe.

Next for USF will be the Hy-Vee Classic in St. Joseph, Mo., on March 19-21. USF will open with Missouri Southern at noon on March 19 and later face Central Missouri at 4 pm on March 19. USF also will play Emporia State at noon on March; Rogers State at 4 pm on March 20; host Missouri Western at 11 am on March 21 and Central Missouri at 1 pm on March 21.

According to USF Head Coach Shannon Pivovar, the two losses were due to playing a really solid MWSU team and that the Cougars need to find ways to continue to improve.

"We faced a really good Missouri Western team today and we didn't make the adjustments that we needed. We simply need to be better," said Pivovar. "Our team has a lot to learn about ourselves and what we want our true identity to be. Luckily, it is early and we have that ability as we keep working every day at practice," she said.

G1 – Missouri Western 7 USF 3
USF recorded eight hits but fell to Missouri Western in game one by a 7-3 final. USF was led by Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag with a two-run home run and two hits each from freshman Damaris Cuevas and senior outfielder Rachel Klassen.

Freshman Hanna Cress (2-2) took the loss for USF as she allowed 11 hits and seven runs across six innings. In throwing her second complete game of the season, Cress threw 123 pitches and had six strikeouts among the 30 batters she faced. Kaili Hinds earned the win for MWSU as she allowed seven hits and three runs with seven strikeouts across seven innings.  

In the first inning, MWSU opened with three straight hits to jump to a 1-0 lead after an RBI by Emma Hoffart, who finished with two hits and an RBI. In the second inning, USF put runners on second and third after hits by Cuevas and Klassen but were unable to score.

In the top of the third inning, Van Der Zwaag hit her first home run of the season and first by a USF player this year. The two-run shot by Van Der Zwaag plated Lexie Swift, who drew a two-out walk, for a 2-1 lead. MWSU responded with four runs in the bottom of the third inning and added two more in the fourth inning for a 7-2 lead. USF put up a run in the sixth inning as Cuevas had her second hit of the day and Shayla Running singled. After Klassen, who also had two hits, reached on a fielder's choice, pinch runner Emma Spizzirri (for Cuevas) scored on a wild pitch.

G2 – Missouri Western 3 USF 0
Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag had a strong outing and threw a complete game but USF dropped a 3-0 decision to MWSU.

In the game, both Van Der Zwaag (1-2) and MWSU's Kelly Uthe (2-1) were involved in a pitcher's duel. But, it was Uthe, who had the upper hand. She pitched no-hit ball for 6 1/3 innings before Shayla Running had a base hit to break it up.

Van Der Zwaag allowed seven hits and three runs with six strikeouts and three walks in throwing a six-inning complete game, which is her second in four appearances. After allowing five hits and three runs in the first three innings, Van Der Zwaag allowed just two more hits and retired 10 of the final 12 batters she faced in throwing 91 pitches. Uthe allowed one hit and walked two batters in seven innings. She had six strikeouts in throwing 94 pitches.

In the first inning, Sydni Hawkins homered for MWSU to take a 1-0 lead.  In third inning, Hawkins singled and later scored on a wild pitch for a 2-0 lead. With one out, Taylor Hoelscher singled as MWSU took a 3-0 advantage.