The Charger softball team fell in their doubleheader to NCAA Division Two University of Nebraska-Kearney 8-5 and 8-2 Wednesday afternoon. The Cliff and Lopers were neck-and-neck both early on both contests, but late surges propelled the Lopers to wins.

Game 1 - L, 8-5
 
The Cliff in game one struck first in the top of the first, after Karina Cupples reached base on an error and advanced to second on the throw. Kylee Lukes deep fly-out to centerfield was enough to move Cupples to third with two outs. Aubrey Chichurka hit a RBI-single to the right center gap to drive in Cupples.
 
The Lopers would go on to score four runs in the next two innings to lead 4-0 heading into the top of the third.
 
Briar Cliff's bats got in a groove in the top of the third, plating three runs to tie the ball game. Cupples got on base following an infield single. Lukes followed with a RBI-double to score Cupples. Chichurka her next at-bat singled to put runners at the corners with no outs. Jessica James who came in to pinch run for Chichurka moved to second on an error. Rylee Cain two RBI-double down the right field line drove in Lukes and James.
 
In the top of the fifth and trailing by one, Kylie Wilhelms reached base after drawing a walk with one out. Sydney Ebel came in to pinch run and advanced to second after a fielder's choice. The next at-bat Skylar Bainter singled to drive in Ebel for to tie the game.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, the Lopers carded three runs after defensive miscues from the Chargers. Wilhelms in the top of the seventh drew a walk to leadoff the inning, but the Cliff's comeback attempt fell short following a pair of strikeouts.
 
Bella Valdez came in a relief effort for the Chargers, and threw 3.2 innings with three strikeouts and allowing one earned run. Chichurka went two-for-four at the plate with one RBI. Cain went one-for-four with two RBIs in the contest.
 
Game 2 - L, 8-2
 
The Lopers' offense in game two carded a run from the second to fifth inning to keep consistent pressure on the Chargers.
 
In the top of the fourth, Bainter drew a lead-off walk to followed by a single from Hailey Yon put runners in scoring position. Yon was able to reach second on the play after beating out the throw from the right fielder. Kieya Belmont recorded an RBI-single to put the Chargers on the board. With the bases loaded, Chichurka was hit by a pitch to drive in Belmont.
 
The Lopers in the next two innings plated five runs across to take a 8-2 lead heading into the top of the seventh. The Chargers fell in order to drop game two. Cupples and Lukes both went two-for-four at the plate in the contest, while Belmont went two-for-three.
 
The Chargers move to 4-3 on the season and will return to action tomorrow as they finish their four-game series against the Lopers. Game one is slated for 12 p.m. with game two to follow shortly after.
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