MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris softball team was defeated 7-0 by Bethany Lutheran College in its home opener in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play Saturday evening in Morris, Minn.
 
The Cougars drop to 2-2 in conference play and 4-12 overall, while the Vikings improve to 13-6 overall and 1-0 in the UMAC.
 
The Vikings struck early, scoring a run in the first inning and extending the lead in the second with four more runs.
 
In the bottom of the second, the Cougars recorded their first baserunner as Kendra Schmitz drew a walk but was left stranded. In the following inning, GingerAnn Lucas and Olivia Losee hit back-to-back two-out singles but were also left on base.
 
Mary Landherr led off the fourth inning with a double to center field, but the next three batters were retired in order, keeping the Cougars off the board.
 
Minnesota Morris trailed by seven entering the seventh inning. Ro Diver singled up the middle to start the inning, and one batter later, Taylor Johnson added a base hit. However, the Cougars were unable to bring a runner home, falling 7-0.
 
Minnesota Morris totaled seven hits, with Lucas and Landherr leading the team with two each. Losee, Diver, and Johnson also recorded hits in the contest. Landherr had the lone extra-base hit with her double. Alyssa Thornton pitched for the Cougars, recording four strikeouts while allowing six earned runs.
 
The Cougars and Vikings will wrap up the series Sunday with a doubleheader starting at noon.