OMAHA, Neb. – College of Saint Mary Softball Coach Carolyn Todd Bray said the Flames played a solid game Saturday – despite a loss.

Bellevue University defeated the Flames 4-2 in a nonconference single game.

The Flames were scheduled to play Morningside University in a Great Plains Athletic Conference doubleheader on the road Saturday, but Wednesday's snowstorm forced the Mustangs to postpone the games. The Bruins, who utilize both a turf and dirt field at Omaha South High School, offered to host the Flames in a single game on short notice.

"We were grateful for the invitation to put together the game in less than 24 hour notice," Bray said. "It gave us a much-needed opportunity to get some things straightened out. We didn't play well at Dakota Wesleyan on Friday and we wanted to get right back out there and work on improving our game.

"I really thought we did that today. I know we suffered the loss and, of course, we are disappointed with that. But we outhit Bellevue, we played errorless defense and our pitchers did a fantastic job. We are feeling much better after today."

CSM got off to a strong start defensively with ace pitcher Shaylynn Campbell throwing three innings of no-hit ball. Campbell struck out the side in the bottom of the third inning and had the Bruins off balance.

But Bellevue took advantage of a single from Mariah Unverzagt and then a home run by Katie Cunningham to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. The Bruins added two more runs off three hits in the fifth frame to lead 4-0 after five.

The Flames rallied to score two in the top of the seventh after getting doubles from Amber Kosmicki, Megan Garcia and Ella Watts, as well as a single from Cassie Wiseman. But with two CSM runners on base – including the tying run – the Bruins brought in their ace pitcher (Cunningham) to clinch the win with a strikeout.

"Bellevue is a great team," Bray said. "I thought we played well against them today. I was really proud of both Shay and Megan on the mound."

Campbell took the loss despite seven strikeouts and only one walk. She surrendered six hits in the five innings. Garcia came on in relief and allowed zero hits and struck out one in the sixth  inning.

The Flames outhit Bellevue 7-6 in the game. Kosmicki and Wiseman both finished with two hits each, while Ella Watts, Campbell and Garcia had the other three hits.

"We were swinging the bats really well today," Bray said. "We also had several deep linedrive outs that were hit right at them.

"It was just good to play well in all three facets of the game today."

The Flames are back on the road Wednesday at Doane University for a GPAC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.