Softball struggles at the plate in pair of losses

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COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Northern Colorado softball ran into a couple of strong pitching performances Saturday in dropping a pair of games at the Demarini Invitational at the University of Missouri.

The tournament was moved indoors from University Field to the Tigers' Devine Pavilion after winter weather struck the Midwest earlier in the day, but the change in venue didn't help the Bears against Missouri or later Ball State.

Northern Colorado (7-20) managed just two singles against the third-ranked Tigers in an 8-0, five-inning loss and then connected for just a double from senior Jessie Schoepflin in a 5-0 loss to the Cardinals.

The Bears will finish up play at the Demarini Invitational tomorrow afternoon with a single game against Ball State.

Kelli Henderson (1-8) started in the circle against Mizzou and gave up seven hits in four and one-thirds innings. She surrendered eight runs (seven earned) while striking out four and walking seven.

Melisa Ryba stole her fourth base of the season in the loss, and Noel Wees and Erin Geddis had a single apiece.

Alex Neely (1-2), who relieved Henderson in the Bears first game of the day, pitched four and two-thirds innings against Ball State in the nightcap. She gave up eight hits to Ball State and four runs, while striking out two and walking one.

Schoepflin's double to left-center field in the fourth was her second of the season and Northern Colorado's 27th.