ATCHISON, Kan. – College of Saint Mary dropped a pair of tight, nonconference softball games on Saturday to 20^th-ranked Benedictine (Kan.) College, by scores of 1-0 and 6-4.

The Flames (2-12 overall) squandered an outstanding pitching performance by Shaylynn Campbell in the opener. She scattered seven hits and allowed one unearned run while striking out four and walking five in six innings of work.

"It was a good pitcher's duel with a tight strike zone,'' CSM Coach Carolyn Todd Bray said. "I thought Shay pitched well.''

CSM left the bases loaded in the first and fifth innings.

"We just couldn't capitalize,'' Bray said.

In the second inning, a great relay from Kayla Reed in center to Ella Watts at short to Paige Stuck denied the game's first run. However, the Ravens (15-9) scored what proved to be the winning run in the fourth inning.

Stuck and Campbell had two hits apiece for the Flames.

In game two, CSM found more offense. Trailing 6-0, it scored three runs in the fourth to get back into contention. Stuck doubled and scored on Megan Garcia's single. Maria Perez singled, and then Ella Watts delivered an RBI double. Campbell followed with a sacrifice fly to make it a 6-3 game.

The Flames added a run in the seventh, as Maycee Hays singled, moved to third on Amber Kosmicki's double and scored on Makenna Earnest's fielder's choice. However, the Flames left the bases loaded to end the game.

Hays, Kosmicki and Garcia had two hits apiece in game two. Victoria Placzek came on in relief and allowed two hits and no runs in four innings of work.

"We hit much better, and Ella Watts played great defense in a new position (third base),'' Bray said. "Tori pitched well, and we got a great double play from Cassie Wiseman and Shay Campbell. Also, Paige Stuck had a great day, both offensively and defensively.''

Despite the near-misses, Bray said her team battled hard.

"Overall, a pretty good day against the 20^th-ranked team in the country,'' she said. "Now we need to focus on the GPAC.''

CSM opens Great Plains Athletic Conference play on Friday in Mitchell, S.D., against Dakota Wesleyan University.