SAN ANGELO, Texas - Missouri Western softball (2-5) began the George and Ola McCorkle Challenge with a doubleheader split on Friday, winning the first game against Texas A&M International before lost a heartbreaker to host No. 11 Angelo State.
 
MWSU will run it back with the Dustdevils at 11:00 a.m. and the Rams at 1:15 p.m. tomorrow at Mayer Field. The games will be available to stream with a subscription on Flo Sports.
 
GAME ONE: MWSU 4, TAMIU 2
The Griffons avenged last weekend's 4-3 loss to the Dustdevils in the opening game of the invite.
 
In the first inning, senior Mackenzie DeVine put the Griffs on the scoreboard with an RBI triple to center field, driving in junior Kalee Higdon for the first run of the game. DeVine had an outstanding game, leading the team with three hits in four plate appearances, along with two RBIs and a run scored.
 
After Texas A&M International tied the game in the fourth, Missouri Western answered right back with the ultimate game-winning RBI single from sophomore catcher Sydney Young in the fifth. DeVine added insurance in the seventh with an RBI single, as MWSU held on for the two-run victory.
 
Sydney Rader (1-3) went the distance to claim her first win of the season. The senior finished with a season-high six strikeouts in 7.0 innings, allowing only five hits and two earned runs.
 
GAME TWO: MWSU 2, #11 ASU 3
Missouri Western took the 11th-ranked team in the nation to the wire but lost a in gut-wrenching way in the afternoon's final game.
 
DeVine carried her momentum into the second game, connecting on an RBI double in the first inning that brought Higdon home for the opening run. Both Griffons contributed to the offense with seven hits, each finishing with two hits.
 
In the third inning, Young's second RBI single of the day that landed in left field brought Higdon home to give the Griffons their first lead of the game. However, the Rams would win the game with a walk-off walk in the bottom of the seventh inning.
 
Junior Harley Pruetting (1-2) was the only Griff to appear in the circle. The Gardner, Kansas native battled for 7.0 innings, allowing seven walks, six hits and three earned runs in her fourth appearance of the season.