SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The York University softball team dropped a pair of games on Saturday to No. 17 Northwestern and 8-0 to Culver-Stockton.

The Panthers are now 0-4 on the season.

Northwestern took an early 3-0 lead in the first and tacked on a run in the second for a 4-0 advantage.

With one down in the third, K. Ruckman belted a single to left field for the team's first hit of the contest – and second base runner (first inning walk to T. Larson). Ruckman promptly stole second base to get into scoring position. However, she was left stranded after back-to-back groundouts to end the frame.

The Panthers' offense tried to get a two-out rally going in the fifth off a base hit by Jones. However, the team was unable to push across a run.

Northwestern plated an insurance run in the seventh for a 5-0 advantage.

L. Knapp got the start and worked six innings. She took the loss but had a strikeout. Chloe Lockhart threw the seventh inning to close out the contest.

Jones and Ruckman had hits in the loss. Ruckman also swiped a base. Larson drew a walk for the offense.

Game two saw the designated home team score three in the second, two in the third, two in the fourth and one in the fifth for the 8-0 win.

The Panthers were paced by Moriah Hoshowski's two hits while Morgan Cameron had one.

In the circle, Ashley Falk went the distance. 

The Panthers return to action Saturday when they take on Columbia College at 1 p.m., and Baker at 3 p.m. in Kansas City, Mo.