ST. LOUIS – The University of Missouri-St. Louis softball team split its two games on the final day of the Music City Invite on Saturday at Cedar Stone Park in Smyrna, Tenn. The Tritons defeated Cedarville in a slug fest 23-14 in the first game but came up short in game two falling to Ohio Dominican 5-3.

Game 1 – UMSL 23 Cedarville 14
UMSL (1-3) gave up a run in the first but rallied with two in the second to take a 2-1 lead. Julia Sandles hit a two-run double scoring Maddie Illingworth and Megan Russell.

The Yellowjackets (1-2) countered with a five-spot in the home half of the second highlighted by a two-run single from Dana Croyts.

The Triton offense exploded in the third scoring nine runs on seven hits to take an 11-6 lead. Simia Spahiev, Phoebe Miller, Russell, Illingworth, May Pasqualini and Courtney Settles all drove in runs in the frame.

Cedarville got two runs back in its half of the third but UMSL continued to add to its lead with three more in the fourth to make it 14-8.

The Yellowjackets cut the deficit to four with two more runs in the fourth but the Tritons added one in the fifth and eight more in the seventh for a 23-10 lead.

Cedarville scored four runs in its final at-bat but it wouldn't be enough.

UMSL had 24 hits in the contest led by Illingworth with five while Pasqualini and Jamie Widule had three hits each. Illingworth finished the game 5-for-6 with five RBI and four runs scored. Five other players had at least two hits. Lexi Sherrick picked up the win pitching 3.2 innings in relief. She gave up two runs on four hits with two strikeouts to pick up her first win of the season.

Game 2 – Ohio Dominican 5 UMSL 3
The Panthers (1-3) scored on an unearned run on an RBI double from Addie Triplett with two out in the first to take the early lead.

The Tritons tied the game in the home half of the first as Pasqualini scored on a throwing error by the catcher on a steal attempt from Gwyn Miller.

ODU scored twice in the second and added two more in the third to build a 5-1 lead.

UMSL rallied in the seventh getting RBI singles from Kaytie Kossina and Pasqualini to cut the margin in half. The Tritons had the go-ahead run at the plate with one out but a fly out and line out ended the game.

UMSL finished with 11 hits in the second game and was led by Pasqualini and Miller with two apiece. Ashley Ware got the start in the circle giving up four runs, two earned, on four hits in three innings pitched to take the loss.

The Tritons return to the diamond next weekend traveling to Bentonville, Ark., for the Alvy Early Memorial Classic. UMSL will face Northeastern State on Friday (Feb. 7) at 11 a.m. followed by Arkansas-Monticello at 1:30 p.m. The games will be held at Memorial Park.