Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Box Score - vs. Western Michigan | Box Score - vs. Villanova

NEWARK, Del. - The La Salle softball squad was edged 1-0 by Western Michigan in the first game and 8-0 in five innings by Villanova on day two of the Delaware Spring Invitational.

The Explorers (3-12) struggled offensively on Saturday with just three scattered hits by three different players.

In the first game of the day, Western Michigan (9-9) got the game's lone run - an unearned score - in the bottom of the second inning when Diana Patterson doubled home Gracie Barstad, who reached on an Explorer miscue.

Alicia Aughton broke up a Bronco no-hit bid in the top of the sixth with a single to right field, but the Explorers could not capitalize in the final 1-0 score.

Aughton went the distance in the circle, giving up just one unearned run on five hits and striking out four. Becca Shemberger got the win for the Broncos, also pitching a complete game and giving up just one hit while striking out nine and walking four.

In the nightcap, Villanova scored two runs each in the second and fourth innings before a four-run burst in the fifth ended the game at 8-0.

The Explorers got two hits off of the Wildcats. Linnette Siedler led off the third with a single through the right side. Liz Reed followed up with a bunt to third baseman Kristi Burlin, who attempted to throw Siedler out at second but committed a throwing error to allow Explorer baserunners at first and second. Unfortunately, two strikeouts ended the Explorer hopes.

Kristin Travers also tried to get a rally going when she singled up the middle with one out in the fifth, but the Wildcats shut down the rest of the inning.

Travers pitched the entire second game, giving up eight runs on 13 hits. Villanova's Molly Manning secured the win, giving up two hits and striking out six.

The Explorers wrap up tournament play on Sunday when they take on Norfolk State at 1:30 p.m.