Box Score

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.V. – Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College opened strong but couldn't maintain momentum, falling to Shawnee State (Ohio) 11-4 on Thursday in the opening round of the River States Conference Softball Tournament.

The Pomeroys struck early with a three-run first inning. Kyar McVey scored on a bunt single by Jaidyn Fuller, followed by an RBI single from Mikayla Mills that also brought in two runs thanks to a Shawnee State error.

The Bears responded in the bottom half with a five-run rally. B. Belo-Diaz drew a bases-loaded walk to score one, and C. Davidson followed with a two-run single. S. Skiver capped the inning with a two-RBI base hit to left, putting Shawnee State ahead 5-3.

SMWC trimmed the deficit to one in the third inning when Mills singled to left field, scoring Fuller and taking advantage of another Bears miscue.

Shawnee State extended its lead with three unearned runs in the fifth and added three more in the sixth, capitalizing on SMWC defensive errors to pull away for good. Davidson and Skiver led the Bears with three RBIs each.

Mills paced the Pomeroys at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Fuller added two runs scored and a hit.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (18-27) will now face the loser of Friday's opening game between Shawnee State and top-seeded Rio Grande. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. ET on Friday, May 2.