OWENSBORO, K.Y. – The Slippery Rock University softball team opened the 2022 season with a 3-0 loss to Northwood University Friday at the Blue Bridge Battle in Owensboro, Kentucky.
 
The loss moves SRU's record to 0-1 overall to start the season while Northwood improves to 1-0 overall.
 
The Rock's efforts were led by freshman outfielder Naomi Childs who registered her first two, and SRU's only hits of the contest. In the circle, Kelsi Anderson pitched all six innings allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five batters. Of the three runs scored only one was earned.
 
The Timberwolves scored one run in the second, third and fourth innings to claim a 3-0 lead midway through the game that SRU could never comeback from.
 
Slippery Rock's best look at cutting the deficit came in the sixth inning when Childs led off the frame with a single down the left field line before advancing to second on groundout by Erin Gardner to give The Rock a runner on second with just one out.
 
However, Northwood pitcher Shayna Frank went on to register consecutive groundouts to get out of the jam before retiring SRU in order in the seventh to close out the win.
 
Frank struck out 11 Rock batters in a two-hit complete-game shutout performance.
 
Slippery Rock returns to competition at the Blue Bridge Battle with two games Saturday against Davis & Elkins at 3 p.m. (2 CST) and Trevecca Nazarene at 5 p.m. (4 CST).



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