SHAWNEE, Kan. - Quincy University softball battled through a challenging doubleheader on Thursday at the Mid-America Complex, rallying late to force extra innings in the opener before falling 8-5 to Missouri Western, then dropping the nightcap to Wayne State (Neb.) 15-2.

Game 1 - Missouri Western 8, Quincy 5 (8 innings)

Both teams were kept off the scoreboard through the first four innings as pitching and defense controlled the early tempo. The Hawks threatened in the second inning when Casey Fronheiser reached and moved into scoring position, but Quincy was unable to break through.

Missouri Western opened the scoring in the fifth inning with an RBI single following a stolen base to take a 1-0 lead. Quincy responded immediately in the bottom half. Fronheiser singled to start the rally before Kenzie Moss launched her first home run of the season to center field, giving the Hawks a 2-1 advantage.

The Griffons answered in the sixth inning with the game's biggest swing, a three-run homer that flipped the lead to 4-2. Missouri Western added another run in the seventh to extend the margin to 5-2.

The Hawks rallied in the bottom of the seventh to extend the game. Moss drew a walk, followed by two straight singles to load the bases. Hailee Irby and Kaidence Dumas both chipped in RBI singles to make it a one-run game before Haleigh Winter tied the game with a sacrifice fly.

Using the international tiebreaker rule in the eighth inning, Missouri Western capitalized with a two-run double and a sacrifice fly to reclaim the lead at 8-5.

Quincy advanced the placed runner to third in the bottom half after a sacrifice bunt, but could not produce the tying runs.

Missouri Western finished with eight runs on ten hits, while Quincy recorded five runs on nine hits in the extra-inning contest. The Hawks played error-free defense and turned a double play while stranding seven runners. Quincy's seventh-inning rally featured three RBI singles and a sacrifice fly to force extras.

Moss led the Hawks offensively with a two-run homer, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Koozer and Dumas each collected two hits, while Irby and Winter each drove in a run during the seventh-inning comeback.

In the circle, Halle Uhles worked five innings before Freeman tossed three innings in relief.

Game 2 - Wayne State 15, Quincy 2 (5 innings)

Wayne State wasted no time setting the tone, scoring five runs in the first inning behind a three-run homer and a two-run single to jump ahead 5-0.

The Hawks responded in the bottom half when Koozer and Irby drew walks to spark the offense. Quincy pushed across a run on a fielder's choice RBI from Winter to cut the deficit to 5-1.

Wayne State extended its lead in the second inning with a three-run home run, then added three more runs in the third on a pair of extra-base hits to stretch the margin to 11-1. The Wildcats continued to add on in the fourth inning with another three-run homer to make it 14-1.

Quincy plated its second run in the bottom of the fourth. Fronheiser singled and later moved into scoring position before Kinsey Biggerstaff came home on a passed ball to trim the deficit to 14-2.

Wayne State added one final run in the fifth on an RBI double to set the final score at 15-2. WSC finished with 15 runs on 10 hits, while Quincy recorded two runs on three hits.

The Wildcats used three home runs and five extra-base hits to fuel the offense. Quincy drew five walks and turned in error-free defense. Moss, Fronheiser, and Andee Brown recorded Quincy's three hits in the contest. Winter drove in the Hawks' first run, while Biggerstaff scored in the fourth.

In the circle, Haley Martin took the loss after the opening inning. Dumas, Freeman, and Uhles combined in relief to finish the game.

The Hawks will continue action tomorrow in Shawnee as they take on Fort Hays State and Winona State at 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM.