The Charger softball team dropped a close doubleheader against the visiting Mount Marty Lancers Tuesday evening at Historic Hubbard Park.
 
Game one – L, 5-10
 
The Lancers in the top of the first inning carded four runs to take an early lead. In the bottom of the inning, Jessica James singled to centerfield followed by an infield single from Karina Cupples to put two on board with no outs. A sacrifice bunt from Rylee Cain moved both runners to second and third. Kaela Persico notched a two RBI single to left field to cut the Lancer lead.
 
In the Bottom of the third, Cupples reached base and quickly swiped second. Rylee Cain drove in Cupples with an RBI double to left field. Hailey Yon recorded an RBI single to tie the game at 4-4.
 
Trailing 7-4 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Persico capitalized on a scoring opportunity with a RBI single to center field to drive in James to the lead to two.
 
The Lancers tacked on three runs in the final three innings to take game one.
 
James in the lead off spot with three-for-five at the plate and scored two runs. Skylar Bainter went two-for-four with a double in the contest.
 
Game two – L 7-10
 
After giving up two runs in the top of the first, the Chargers quickly responded with two runs of their own the next half-inning. James drew lead off walk and stole second base. Cupples hit a triple to center field to card the Chargers first run. Persico continued her strong performance at the dish, posting. RBI single to center field to tie the game.
 
Brittyn Schutz in the bottom of the third inning gave BCU a one-run lead after scoring on a passed ball.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Cain doubled to center field. She advanced to third on a throwing error from the Lancers and scored on the play. Persico would score on a wild pitch to give BCU a 5-3 lead.
 
Mount Marty in the top of the sixth carded one run to cut the lead to one run heading into the final frame. The Lancer bats in the top of the seventh rallied, scoring six runs to take a five-run lead.
 
The Chargers looked to rally in the final inning, with Persico leading off with a double to left centerfield. Kylie Wilhelms reached base on an error and runners were at the corners with no outs. Yon recorded a RBI single followed by a RBI single from Kenadee Loew to cut the lead to three. The Lancers escaped the jam to preserve the victory.
 
The Chargers fall to 6-16 (0-6 GPAC) and will return to action tomorrow as they host the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers on Historic Hubbard Park in Sioux City, Iowa. Game one is slated for 3 p.m. with game two following shortly after.
   
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