SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The RSU softball team took 2-of-3 games in Springfield, Mo., as the Hillcats hit the road for the Evangel University Early Bird Tournament on Friday and Saturday.

Coach Dawn Reed's club tallied wins over Columbia College (Columbia, Mo.) and Concordia University (Seward, Neb.) before suffering its first loss of the season to Northwest Missouri State (Maryville, Mo.) on Friday. Day 2 of the two day tournament was cancelled due to inclement weather.

RSU earned its first win of the tournament with a 3-1 victory over Columbia. The Hillcats outscored Columbia despite recording just three hits in the game. Trailing, 3-1 in the bottom of the third, the Hillcats plated three runs. Bridgett Stewart tied the game on an RBI groundout and Denise Garcia gave RSU the lead with a 2-RBI single. Kelli Dunagan picked up a complete-game victory and racked up nine strikeouts in the contest.

The Hillcats came from behind again to win the second game of the day as they topped Concordia University, 5-3. RSU trailed, 1-0 entering the fourth frame, when Kacy Ward led off the inning with a triple and scored on a single by Stewart, knotting the game at 1-1. Three hits led to three runs in the fifth inning as RSU took a 4-1 lead. Randi Tyler paced the Hillcats with three hits, including two doubles and two runs scored. Ward finished the game 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBI. Stephanie Eggers picked up the win for RSU with six strong innings of work. She allowed just on unearned run.

Northwest Missouri State scored twice in third inning of Game 3 and handed the Hillcats their first loss of the season, 2-0. RSU left runners in scoring position four times as Megan Wood picked up two of the Hillcats four hits in the game.

The softball Hillcats (6-1) return home on Tuesday for a doubleheader at Hillcat Field against Oklahoma Wesleyan. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.