McPHERSON, Kan. – The College of Saint Mary softball team suffered a tough loss in extra innings and then lost via the run-rule Saturday.

The Flames lost 4-3 in nine innings to McPherson College in the opening game of the road doubleheader. Then the Bulldogs knocked off CSM 10-2 in six innings in the nightcap.

"We had a disappointing day because we really felt like we beat ourselves," CSM Coach Carolyn Todd Bray said. "We had a lot of mistakes defensively and struggled to make adjustments at the plate.

"We scored first and early in both games and then couldn't keep the hitting going. McPherson was the opposite. They struggled early and then did a better job of making adjustments later in the game."

The Flames were in control of game one early as Shaylynn Campbell was strong on the mound.

CSM had one run in the first, one in the fifth and one in the eighth. McPherson didn't score until the sixth inning but then had one run in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth to win in the international tiebreaker game. Both teams finished with seven hits.

"I thought Shay pitched really well today," Bray said. "It was easily her best game this year with her control. But give McPherson credit – when they couldn't hit her they went to small ball. And we got beat by a handful of balls that didn't even go 20 feet."

Campbell gave up seven hits, struck out seven and walked one. Only two of the runs scored were earned.

Megan Garcia led the Flames offensively with a 3-for-4 performance that included a double. Teammates Ella Watts, Paige Stuck, Daisy Lowther and Campbell all had one hit each.

McPherson swung the bats better in the second game and outhit the Flames 13-7.

CSM jumped ahead 2-0 in the top of the first inning, but didn't score any more. The Bulldogs scored four in the third, one in the fourth, one in the fifth and four in the sixth for the win.

Savannah Schewe paced the Flames with two hits, while Stuck, Sydney Griffin, Macy Santoni, Makenna Earnest and Campbell all had one each. Campbell's hit was a double.

Garcia suffered the loss. She gave up 11 hits in five innings, walked two and fanned two. Lowther came on in relief in the sixth inning and surrendered two hits.

"We've got things we need to work on both individually and as a team," Bray said. "Yes – we're young. But that excuse isn't going to cut it the more games we get under our belts. In the end, we need players who can learn from these mistakes and execute plays."

The Flames drop to 5-7 on the season. CSM is off until March 16 when the Flames travel to Florida for eight games over spring break.