OSCEOLA, Fla. – The Purdue University Northwest softball team split its Second day of the PFX Spring Games, defeating Shepherd University, 4-2 before falling in the second contest to Winona State, 6-3.

Game 1: PNW 4, Shepherd 2

The Rams took the early lead in the first inning but the Pride bounced back in the top half of the third when Heather O'Kelly (Worth, Ill./Shephard) and Zoee Anderson (Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jefferson) each crossed the plate to give the Pride a 2-1 advantage.

The Pride extended its lead in the top half of the fifth when Kalyn Learnard (Fairmount, Ill./Catlin) drove in Kara Alosio (Yorkville, Ill./Yorkville) who pinch ran for Amanda Noblett (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central) after she walked earlier in the inning.

Shepherd tried to mount a come back in the latter innings but only scored one run in the seventh as the Pride were able to hold off a possible come back effort from the Rams and come away with the 4-2, win.

Courtney Blackwell (Whiting, Ind./Whiting) won her fourth game this season in the circle as she pitched a complete game with two earned runs and three strikeouts.

Game 2: Winona State 6, PNW 3

Winona State would score two runs in the first three innings of the game to take the early 2-0 lead, but the Pride would answer back to take the lead in the third.

Learnard drove in Noblett and Mia Stevens (Wheatfield, Ind./Kankakee Valley) followed by an RBI-single from Madison Schultz (Lafayette, Ind./Faith Christian) to put the pride ahead, 3-2.

The Warriors would score two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth and seventh to eventually come away with the win, 6-3.

Stevens pitched in the circle for the Pride and through seven innings with three strikeouts.

The Pride are back in action Thursday, March 14, when they face off with Nyack College and Minnesota Deluth.