CONROE, Texas – The Cameron softball team dropped a pair on the final day of the Arkansas Tech Winter Invitational on Sunday, losing 5-3 to Pittsburg State and 4-1 to No. 25 Augustana (S.D.).

Cameron scored their first run of the game against Pittsburg State the same way they scored the game winning run in the 11th inning last night against No. 20 Arkansas Tech. Brenna Busby, who reached on an error to begin the inning, moved to second on an infield single and third on a wild pitch. She then scored while Kaylyn Smith was caught trying to steal second, allowing CU to take a 1-0 lead.

A pair of two out RBI hits by Pittsburg State in the top of the second put the Aggies down 4-1 early in the contest. Cameron cut that lead in half in the bottom half of the inning as Abbey Warren, who doubled earlier in the inning, came in to score on a single by Khmari Edwards.

After a scoreless third, the Gorillas added another run in the fourth via an RBI double to right center to give them a 5-2 advantage.

The Aggies, who left eight runners on base throughout the game, had a chance in the bottom of the seventh. Edwards walked to lead off the inning and then Aliyah Young got a pinch-hit infield single to put runners on first and second. After a pitching change by PSU, B. Busby flied out to left, allowing Edwards to advance to third and put runners on the corners. Raley Long pinch hit for Smith and drove in Edwards on a single up the middle, cutting the lead to 5-3.

With just one out and two on, Callie Busby singled through the right side to load the bases. However, the Gorillas retired the next two batters in order to secure the victory and give CU their first loss of the season.

Turner Whorton received the loss, moving to 1-1 on the young season. She went 5.1 innings in the circle, giving up five earned runs on seven hits with six strikeouts. Breley Webb finished out the game and recorded 1.2 perfect innings with a pair of Ks.

Edwards and Warren each had a pair of hits, while the other five CU hits were spread across five other players.

In game two of the day against No. 25 Augustana, the Vikings took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the second thanks to a two-out RBI single and two-run homer.

Cameron had a good shot to put some runs on the board in the third. B. Busby doubled with one out to start things off and then a Smith single and C. Busby walk loaded the bases for Webb. The freshman grounded out to the first baseman, allowing B. Busby to score, but that would be the only one CU would get in the inning.

After scoreless fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, the Vikings added one more to their total in the top of the seventh via a one-out triple and RBI single. The Black and Gold put two on in the bottom of the frame as Warren and Alyssa Osterdock both singled, but a lineout double-play ended the CU threat.

Bethany Hines suffered her first loss of the season, going six innings and giving up three earned runs on five hits with just one punchout. Webb threw the final inning and gave up the one earned run on two hits with a K.

The Aggies five hits came off the bat of five different players, with C. Busby delivering the only RBI.

Cameron ends the Arkansas Tech Winter Invitational with a 4-2 record.

Next up, the Aggies will compete in the OC/UCO Tournament, where they will play Southern Nazarene, Central Oklahoma, Northeastern State, Southeastern Oklahoma, and Rogers State, Feb. 8-10.