Winfield, KAN. - The Panthers finally got a notch in the win column and it came when it mattered the most, the start of conference play. After falling in the first game 6-3 the Panthers earned the split winning 7-5 in the second game.

Game One
Southwestern scored two runs in the first inning to jump out on top after picking up three hits off of Ciera Montalvo (JR/Fresno, Calif.). After a scoreless second inning, the Panthers got on the board in the third thanks to a couple of Moundbuilder errors. Meida Tautalatasi (JR/Alameda, Calif.) scored after reaching on an error and then getting around the horn with a stolen base and passed ball. The Moundbuilders opened the game up in the fourth inning scoring three runs on four hits to lead 5-1.

The Panthers scored two runs in the seventh inning after doubles by Alysia Rodriguez (SR/Canyon Lake, Calif.) and Samantha Adami (SR/Hayward, Calif.). But the Panthers couldn't get any closer than that as they fell 6-3.

Montalvo picked up the loss as she allowed five runs in three and two-thirds innings. Alyssa Ruiz (JR/Fresno, Calif.) pitched in relief allowing one run on two hits.

Game Two
York looked to open up the game in the second inning as they took a 5-1 lead. With two outs Danielle Cornejo (JR/Chino, Calif. ) and Breianna Cortez (SO/Lubbock, Texas) hit back-to-back singles. An error would score Cornejo and then Meida Tautalatasi singled to put runners at first and third. Tautalatasi stole second and then Hannah Saroka (FR/Papillion, Neb.) hit an RBI single to center field. Maricelo Romero hit a single to right to give the 5-1 lead for the Panthers.

The Moundbuilders didn't take long as they answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at five.

York scored the go-ahead run in the fourth and put an insurance run on the board in the fifth before Alysia Rodriguez shut down the Moundbuilders the rest of the way.

Alysia Rodriguez went 3-for-5 from the plate and batted two. Hannah Saroka and Meida Tautalatasi each added two hits to their resume. Overall the Panthers pounded out 13 hits in the game. Rodriguez picked up the complete game win going the full seven innings allowed five runs on nine hits.

York travels to Bellevue on Monday for nonconference play.