Box Score BENTONVILLE, ARK. – The East Central University softball team dropped a 3-4 decision to Minnesota State, Mankato at the 8-State Classic at Memorial Field.

Box Score

The Lady Tigers (6-5) were led by senior Gina Mengwasser, who tallied two hits and an RBI.  Sophomore Chelsea Patterson also added two hits.

Sophomore Lacey Paulk came in for the final four innings in the circle, allowing just one hit and one run, while striking out two.
The Mavericks were the first to score, tallying three runs in the bottom of the first for a 0-3 lead.

ECU countered with two runs in the top of the third to cut the deficit to 2-3.  Sophomore Lauren Reeves started things off with a single and was joined on base by sophomore Sydney Dow, who was hit by a pitch.  Mengwasser earned her RBI with a double.  Junior Lacey Williams added an RBI when she grounded out to second.

MSU added one more run in the bottom of the third to push the lead back to 2-4.

The Lady Tigers and the Mavericks defense held strong for the next three innings, with no scoring.  ECU came out in the top of the seventh and started a one-out rally when Mengwasser drew a walk.  Williams then reached on a fielder's choice that recorded the second out. 

Freshman Nicole Nordie singled and Williams was sent home on a single by junior Samantha McGraw for a 3-4 score.  Sophomore Leah Tigert drew a walk to load the bases, but the final batter of the inning struck out.

The Lady Tigers will play the final two games of the 8-State Classic, Sunday, Feb. 16 when they face Nebraska-Kearney (1:30 p.m.) and Oklahoma Panhandle State (3:30 p.m.).