GEORGETOWN, Texas — The Southwestern University softball team suffered their first loss 9-7 in a series against the St. Thomas Celts this Friday afternoon.

St. Thomas came out hot at the beginning of the game and scored three quick runs to gain an early lead over the Pirates. However, this did not deter Southwestern. As three Pirates loaded the bases, Kathryn Dull was hit by a pitch giving Izzy Richey the easy first run for the Pirates. Once again, Jessey Nunez stepped up to bat and was hit by a pitch, giving Maddie Mefford the chance to run in the second run. Southwestern got their first hit when Kealie House batted the ball to the third baseman, which snowballed two errors by St. Thomas and let House reach third base while three Pirates scored. The Pirates took the lead and then Rylee Rudloff hit in the next run by doubling to left-center and House scored the Pirates' final run, making the game 6-3 in the bottom of the first inning. 

St. Thomas answered back to score three runs in the top of the second inning to tie the game 6-6. The Pirates went scoreless in the bottom of the second inning but were able to score a run in the bottom of the third when Tori Montemayor was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, causing House to score a run giving the Pirates a one-point lead. The lead continued through the fourth inning as both Southwestern and St. Thomas went scoreless. However, the Celts tied the game once again at the top of the fifth, making it 7-7.

St. Thomas extended their lead in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs after Shae Montemayor doubled by hitting the ball to left center field. The Pirates tried to catch up to the Celts in the last two innings, but St. Thomas's defense kept the Pirates at bay, ending the game 9-7 in the bottom of the seventh.

The Southwestern Pirates are now 6-7 in SCAC play and 8-14 overall.

Southwestern softball will continue the series against St. Thomas and play a doubleheader tomorrow on Saturday, April 10 at noon and 2 p.m. on Taylor Sanders Field.