SMYRNA, Tenn. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis softball team opened its 2025 season on Friday with two games in the Trevecca Nazarene Music City Invite at Cedar Stone Park in Smyrna, Tenn. The Tritons dropped its season opener to No. 17 Trevecca Nazarene 3-1 and Ashland 13-4 in five innings.
Game 1 - Trevecca Nazarene 3 UMSL 1
The Trojans, ranked No. 17 in the NFCA Preseason Top 25 poll, struck first as Sarah Kinderdine hit a solo home run to left with one out in the bottom of the first. TNU added to its lead in the fifth as Madison Pruitt hit a two-run homer to left to extend the lead to 3-0.
UMSL's lone run came in the seventh as
Gwyn Miller led off the inning with a triple to left and scored on
Hannah Tomlianovich's ground out to short.
The Tritons were held to two hits in the contest with Miller and
Jamie Widule accounting for the offense.
Ashley Borowitz pitched a complete game giving up three runs on hits while striking out six in her season debut.
Game 2 – Ashland 13 UMSL 4 (5 innings)
The Eagles (2-0) jumped out to the early lead scoring an unearned run in the top of the first on an error.
UMSL got that run back in its half of the first as Miller hit a one out double down the left field line and scored on
Courtney Settles single to center.
Ashland retook the lead in the third. Cassidy Shaffer drove in the first run with a single to right scoring Danielle Robins and then Kate Kujawski hit a sacrifice fly to right to bring home Shaffer.
The Tritons tied it again in the third. Miller reached on an error by the center fielder and advanced to third. She scored on Settles double down the left field line and then Widule drove her with a triple to left center.
The game was delayed by rain for 1:45 entering the fourth. After the delay the Eagles erupted for nine runs on four hits and two errors. The inning was highlighted by Sophia Martin's three-run triple down the left field line.
UMSL's final run came in the fourth as Settles drove in Miller with her second run of the game on a single to short.
Ashland added one final run in the fifth for the final margin.
The Tritons had seven hits in the nightcap led by Settles with three while Miller added two more.
Ashley Ware took the loss giving up six runs, five earned, on two hits and two walks in less than an inning pitched.
UMSL returns to the diamond on Saturday taking on Cedarville at 10:30 a.m. and Ohio Dominican at 12:30 p.m. on the final day of the Music City Invite at Cedar Stone Park.
