The Charger softball team dropped tough close contests to the visiting Flame of College of Saint Mary Saturday at Historic Hubbard Park in Sioux City Iowa. The Chargers honored their seniors prior to the contests.
 
Game one, L, 4-6
 
The Flames jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead after the first four innings. In the bottom of the fifth, Jessica James led off with a single to left field and moved to scoring position after stealing second base. Karina Cupples recorded an infield single, but James was caught trying to reach third. With two outs, Kylie Wilhelms doubled to center field to drive in Cupples for the Chargers first run of the game.
 
Trailing 6-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth, singles from Kaydence Kinder and Autumn Soter put runners in scoring position with one out. Skylar Bainter recorded a bases clearing double to cut the Flames lead to three. A RBI single from Rylee Cain made it a two-run game heading into the seventh.
 
The Flames retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh to take game one.
 
James and Cupples both recorded three hits and scored a run in the contest. Kinder recorded two hits in the contest.
 
Game two, L, 11-14

Trailing by two heading into the bottom of the first, a two RBI double from Wilhelms put the Chargers on the board early. An error from the Flames allowed Montie Richter to score to tie the game in the bottom of the second. A RBI single from Cupples to center field gave the Chargers a 3-2 lead.
 
Tied 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth, the Charger offense caught fire, with a James double to center field, Cupples infield single, and an infield single from Cain to load the bases. Wilhelms delivered with runners in scoring position, a bases clearing double to left field to put BCU up 6-3. Briar Cliff would score eight runs in the inning to take a 11-3 lead.
 
The Flames the next-half inning would tie the game, scoring nine runs in the top of the fifth and the contest was tied at 11-11. The Flames carded two runs in the top of the seventh to take a 13-11 lead.
 
The Chargers fell in order in the bottom of the seventh and the Flames came away with game two.
 
Wilhelms went a near perfect four-for-five with four RBIs and scored a run. Kenadee Loew, Kaela Persico, and Cupples each recorded two hits.
 
The Chargers slide to 7-21 (1-11 GPAC), and will travel to Forest City, Iowa to take on the Waldorf Warriors next Wednesday. Game one is slated for 3 p.m. with game two to follow shortly after.
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