ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The Union University softball team split a pair of games Thursday at Ouachita Baptist University, winning 4-3 in eight innings in game one, then dropping the second game 7-2. Union is now 2-8 on the season, while Ouachita Baptist is 2-6. The two teams will play the rubber game of the series, Friday at 2 p.m.

Game 1 was scoreless until Union put one run on the board in the top of the fourth. Mallory Hildebrand continued where she left off last weekend with producing runs, this time on an RBI groundout. Union added a second run in the sixth when Sydney Scott singled to center, driving in a run. Union starter Emily Claire Felder (1-2) had a no-hitter going through the sixth. She finished the eight-inning complete game, allowing three runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Ouachita Baptist tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with a pair of runs to force extras. In the top of the eighth, Union's Chloe Jones homered over the left field fence to drive in Courtney Marler and put Union back on top, 4-2. OBU got of run in the bottom, but Felder and the Lady Bulldogs closed the door on the comeback to secure Union's second win in the past three games. Union pounded out 10 hits with Jones leading with three hits, two runs, and two RBI. Ella Joy Bragen, Rylee Moore, and Hildebrand had two hits apiece. 

In the second game, Union trailed by one after three innings. The Lady Bulldogs scored twice in the top of the fourth to take a brief lead. An RBI single from Marler and an RBI double from Sydney Scott put Union up 2-1. OBU tied the game with a run in the fourth, and then put the game away with five in the sixth. Union had six hits in the loss, with Moore leading the team with two. Moore (0-4) also took the loss, tossing six innings with. nine hits, seven runs, only three earned, with six strikeouts and no walks. 

-UNION-