BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The Drury Panthers suffered two losses on the first day of the Alvin Early Tournament in Bentonville, Arkansas on Saturday. Drury was blanked by Arkansas Tech, 6-0, in their first game, then fell 4-1 to Missouri Western State in their second contest.
Two Arkansas Tech pitchers combined to no-hit Drury in the Panthers' first game on Saturday. Bailey Buffington (3-1) got the win going five innings and striking three while allowing one walk. Kaila Cartwright pitched the final two frames for the Golden Suns, surrendering one walk with a strikeout.
Arkansas Tech got an early lead with a run in the first, then added two runs in the third. The win lifted the Golden Suns record to 4-2.
The Panthers matched Missouri Western's hit total in their second game on Saturday, but the Griffons produced four runs on their hits, while Drury pushed home only one run on their seven hits.
The Panthers got on the board in the first inning as
Gracie Thomas drove in a run with a single that scored
Meagan Mullaney to give Drury a 1-0 lead. Missouri Western tied the game with a run in the third, then took command on a three-run home run by MacKenzie Devine.
Sam Pederson (1-0) got the win going all seven innings and striking out nine.
Kristina Bettis (1-3) took the loss for Drury.
The Panthers ended the day with a 2-5 record.
The tournament continues tomorrow as Drury takes on number one ranked Rogers State at 11 am, then Northeastern State at 1:30 pm.
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