The Briar Cliff softball team closed out play Saturday at the Top Gun Midwest Classic at the Mid-America Sports Complex, dropping a pair of games to Bellevue University and Park University.

Game 1 vs. Bellevue University – L, 4–0
Briar Cliff battled throughout the opener but was held scoreless in a 4–0 loss to Bellevue University.

The Bruins broke through in the top of the fourth inning, scoring twice on a sacrifice bunt and an RBI single down the left-field line. Bellevue added insurance runs later in the contest, building the four-run cushion.

Shelby Blankenship turned in a strong complete-game effort in the circle for the Chargers, going all seven innings while allowing four runs on 12 hits. She struck out six and did not issue a walk.

Offensively, Briar Cliff managed four hits on the day, with Blankenship, Aubrey White, Elizabeth Austin, Sydney Mennenga, and Kaela Persico each recording a hit.

Game 2 vs. Park University – L, 12–3
Briar Cliff fell in game two as Park University used big innings early to secure a 12–3 victory.

Park scored three runs in the top of the first inning before extending the lead in the third on a two-run home run by Reed. The Pirates then broke the game open with a six-run fourth inning.

The Chargers responded in the bottom of the fourth as Brooke Oppliger delivered a two-run home run to center field following a six-pitch at-bat, accounting for Briar Cliff's first runs of the game.

Oppliger led the Chargers with two RBIs, while Leah Montes paced the offense with a perfect 2-for-2 performance at the plate. Briar Cliff also turned a double play defensively.

Briar Cliff returns to action Tuesday March 3, as the Chargers travel to Branson, Missouri taking on Culver-Stockton. Game times are set for 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. 
 

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