GEORGETOWN, Texas — Southwestern softball's bats were shut down by the No. 5-ranked Texas Lutheran University, losing 7-0 to the Bulldogs in the first game of a three-game series.

Texas Lutheran starting pitcher Ashlyn Strother was dominant, striking out 15 hitters in a two-hit, complete-game shutout to remain perfect at 11-0 this season. 

Both teams went scoreless through the first two innings until the Bulldogs broke through against Southwestern starter Taylor McKenzie in the top of the third inning. Brandalyn Dee sparked the Texas Lutheran offense with a one-out single to center. Kelly Jurden followed with an infield single. After Madison Johnson popped up to second, Casey Martin delivered an RBI single up the middle for the 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Sarah Metzer added another run for Texas Lutheran, driving in Chassety Raines, who reached on a two-out double to left field. Then, Texas Lutheran exploded for three runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by a two-run blast by Faith Hernandez. 

Jurden and Martin had RBI singles in the sixth inning, giving Texas Lutheran the 7-0 lead, and Strother struck out the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to end the game. 

Jodi Millhouse had both of Southwestern's hits, going 2-for-3. 

McKenzie pitched 5.1 innings, surrendering five earned runs on 11 hits. Madison Vela finished the game in the pitcher's circle, throwing 1.2 innings with one earned run yielded on four hits. 

Southwestern drops to 7-15 with a 3-4 conference record. The Pirates and Bulldogs will resume playing with tomorrow's doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m.