The Briar Cliff softball team split 1-1 with RV Morningside Saturday at Jensen Softball Complex. The Mustangs took game one 5-0, but the Cliff responded in game two with a 4-3 win behind a three-run home run from Alexis Westercamp. 

"I'm proud of how the girls bounced back after a tough first game," said head coach Erin Bly. "We hit the ball hard both games and I'm happy with how the girls kept fighting despite a hard go of it game one."

Game 1 - L , 0-5

The Chargers struggled to generate offense in game one, tallying just four hits. 

The Mustangs scored first in the bottom of the second off an error by Aubrey Chichurka at third base. The Mustangs attempted to score two on the play, but the Cliff threw out the second runner at the plate. 

The Chargers had their best chance to score in the top of the third with runners on first and second. After back-to-back outs to start the inning, Karinna Cupples singled and moved into scoring position after Josie Chronic's infield single. Chichurka lined out to second base to end the inning. 

Morningside added two insurance runs in both the third and fourth innings. 

BC again found runners on first and second in the fourth but were unable to cross home plate. 

Cupples, Chronic, Lukes and Alexis Westercamp tallied a hit each.

Kayla Guerrero is tagged with the loss after going 4.0 innings. She allowed five runs (three earned) on four hits with one strikeout. Morgan Jones threw 2.0 innings in relief, allowing only one hit. 

Game 2 - W, 4-3

The Chargers threatened in the top of the first with runners on first and third and one out. Back-to-back outs ended the inning and stranded the two BC runners on base.

A solo home run and RBI single from the Mustangs in the bottom of the first gave them an early 2-0 lead.

With two runners on, and two outs, Westercamp sent a three-run bomb over the left field fence to take a 3-2 edge. 

The Cliff loaded the bases in the top of the fourth and tacked on their fourth run of the contest with a Chichurka single to left field. Morningside closed the gap to 4-3 in the fifth with a solo homer.

Morningside found runners on first and second in the seventh, but the Chargers closed the door on the Mustangs rally with a Lukes to Sydney Lierman double play.

"Our pitchers did a great job keeping us in the game and giving us a chance to win game two. Morgan Jones did a fantastic job coming in and giving us quality innings," said Bly.

Morgan Jones entered in relief in the bottom of the fifth and picked up the three-inning save. She allowed three hits, no runs with one strikeout. Mackenna Raby earns the win after throwing 3.1 innings with one strikeout and one earned run. 

"Alexis made the difference for us at the plate and did a great job taking a change up out of the yard," noted Bly.

Cupples and Lierman each tallied two hits, while Lukes drew two walks. The Chargers totaled nine hits, two extra base hits and five walks in game two.

BC moves to 16-11 (6-4 GPAC) on the season and will head to Omaha, Nebraska tomorrow for a doubleheader with College of Saint Mary at 1 and 3 p.m.