SHAWNEE, Kan. – The York University softball team lost a pair of games on Friday. The squad lost 8-7 to No. 8 Central Methodist before falling 12-4 to Dakota Wesleyan in the nightcap.
 
The Panthers are now 3-11 on the season.
 
Against No. 8 Central Methodist, the designated visitors scored four runs in the top of the first, but York promptly took the lead with a five-run first. 
 
Shannon Nelson laid down a bunt single with one out and moved to second on Taylor Larson's base hit up the middle. Lexi Knapp singled to right field before Taylor Jones' base knock pushed Nelson across the plate. Brooklyn Hadl drew a bases loaded walk and Bethany Wright singled home Knapp. After a pitching change, Emma Peeples was hit by a pitch, knocking in Jones. Kaitlyn Ruckman's walk plated Hadl for a one-run lead.
 
Larson led off the second with a ground-rule double. Two batters later, she scored on a single to left by Jones. 
 
The score remained the same until CMU made it 5-4 in the sixth. In the bottom of the stanza, Larson crushed a lead-off home run over the center field wall for a two-run advantage, 7-5.
 
CMU countered with three runs in the top of the seventh for an 8-7 lead. Peeples recorded a one-out single, but she was left stranded. 
 
For the game, Larson and Peeples led the way with three hits apiece. Larson crushed a home run and scored three times. She was a triple away from the cycle. Knapp and Jones tallied two hits each. Jones drove in two. 
 
In the circle, Knapp worked a complete game and had two strikeouts. She gave up eight runs, but only six were earned.
 
Against Benedictine, York trailed 5-0 entering the fourth inning. In the top of the fourth, Larson drew a walk and swiped second base. Jones garnered an infield single and Larson advanced to third on the play. Hadl's single loaded the bases. Two batters later, Megan Brownson's sacrifice fly allowed Larson to cross home. 
 
Benedictine answered with five runs in the fourth, making it 10-1. Ruckman drew a walk and swiped second. Nelson's bunt single put runners on the corners. Peeples promptly crushed a three-run round-tripper, bringing the score to 10-4. 
 
The home squad added two runs in the bottom of the sixth for the final score.  
 
For the game, Nelson and Jones had two hits apiece. Peeples recorded a three-run home run. 
 
In the circle, Ashley Falk got the start and had three strikeouts in 3.2 innings. Alex Harwell tossed two innings of relief.
 
The Panthers return to action Saturday when they take on the College of Saint Mary and Waldorf starting at 2:40 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at Yorkpanthers.com.