BENTONVILLE, ARK. – The East Central University softball team dropped a pair of games in the first day of the UAM 8-State Classic.  ECU first fell to No. 16 Missouri Western, 0-2, and then they dropped a 6-7 decision to Minnesota State Mankato.

The Tigers (3-6) were led at the plate by senior Lauren Reeves, who tallied a .500 batting average, two runs, three hits and two RBIs for the day.  Freshman Mariah Ewy added two hits, one run and one RBI for a .500 average as well.

Senior Marissa Shaffer threw a complete game in the opening game of the day, allowing eight hits and two runs.  Junior Kelbie Crelia threw a complete second game, allowing six hits, seven runs (three earned) and struck out two.

ECU will continue at the tournament, Saturday, Feb. 13 when they face No. 7 Missouri-St. Louis (1 p.m.) and Emporia State (3 p.m.).  The final day of the event will see the Tigers battling Wayne State (9 a.m.) and Missouri S&T (1 p.m.), Sunday, Feb. 14.

Missouri Western 2, East Central 0
The Griffins (3-2) were the first to get on the scoreboard, scoring a run in the second and third innings for the 0-2 lead.

The Tigers had their chances to get runs across the plate, including the sixth inning when they had runners on first and second with two outs.  However, the runner was thrown out at home and ECU ended up falling 0-2.

Minnesota State Mankato 7, East Central 6
The Tigers started the second game on a high note, taking a 2-0 advantage in the top of the first inning.  Senior Autumn Suydam was walked, stole second and advanced to third and scored on a wild throw.  After the first two outs were recorded Reeves added a run with a solo home run.

The Mavericks (1-1) cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second with a single run.

ECU responded with another run in the fourth.  Reeves led off with a walk and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Madison Thompson.  After the second out, Reeves came around to score when Ewy hit a single to center.

Mankato then tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, with a two-run inning.

The Tigers again took the lead in the top of the fifth, 5-3.  Freshman Breecia Crawford hit a leadoff single, but was sent back to the dugout when senior Taylor Davis hit into a fielder's choice.  Davis moved to second on a wild pitch and then was sent home when Suydam doubled to left field.  The second run was scored by Reeves, with a double to center.

The Mavericks cut the deficit to one (5-4) with a single run in the fifth.

ECU added another run in the sixth for a 6-4 lead.  Ewy drew a one-out walk.  Freshman Ellanee Allison then singled to put runners on first and third.  That allowed Ewy to score on a passed ball.

However, Mankato had its best inning in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs for a 6-7 advantage.  The Tigers were unable to get a runner on base in the seventh and fell 6-7.