Missouri Southern’s softball team opened its season with a close defeat Feb. 18 against undefeated Oklahoma Baptist University.

Efforts by the Lady Lions weren’t enough, as they lost by only one run twice in the doubleheader, 6-5 and 8-7.

“I’m extremely excited about how they performed,” said head coach Jennifer Jimerson.

“We played a tough team.”

Sophomore left fielder Alesa Woolard led the way for the Lions with six hits in her first eight at bats

“She hit the ball hard every time up,” Jimerson said. “She’s hit the ball well in every scrimmage we’ve had this season. It’s not like she just had a good game; she’s a good hitter.”

Freshman pitcher Callie Stanford began her college debut in game one, giving up four hits and five earned runs.

“Our pitching struggled a little,” Jimerson said. “But that’s to be expected the first game.”

The Ladies first game was like a tennis match with the lead bouncing back and forth four times. After five innings, they were tied, 5-5.

A scoreless sixth put pressure on Southern to score in the seventh. Despite a triple from Woolard, the Lions couldn’t bring one in, leaving one last chance for OBU.

OBU rallied to bring in the one run it needed to win, giving the Lady Lions their first loss of the season.

Game two had a slow start with both teams scoreless in the first two innings. Southern put up a run in the third, followed by a four-run inning for OBU.

“There were times when we were down,” Jimerson said. “But they just kept on fighting and fighting.”

Southern fought back, scoring twice in the fifth and three times in the sixth, but couldn’t keep up. OBU outscored Southern by only one run.

A scoreless seventh for the Lady Lions meant their second loss of the season. With the season just beginning, Jimerson thinks her team will have a great season.

“We don’t really have any weaknesses,” she said.

“There are just a few things that we need to work on.”

The Ladies travel to Dallas on Feb. 28 for the Division II Lead-off Classic. Their home opener is scheduled at 5 p.m.on March 6 against Southwestern Oklahoma State University.