Rider 2, UNO 0 (8 inn.)
Cleveland State 4, UNO 2

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The UNO softball team dropped its first two games at the Rebel Spring Games on Monday.

UNO (4-8) opened play with a 2-0 loss in eight innings to Rider. The Mavs followed with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Cleveland State.

In the first game, the Mavs were shut out by Rider pitcher Rachael Matreale. After a scoreless seven innings, a runner was placed on second base in the eighth inning for each team as part of the International tiebreaker rule. Rider scored two unearned runs off of UNO pitcher Kat Barrow to take a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, UNO's Emma Wright was placed on second. Lindsay Redding walked to put the tying run on first, and Ashley Lynch sacrifice bunted both runners up one base. But the next two Mavs were retired to end the game.

Barrow went the distance, allowing no earned runs while striking out five and walking one. Barrow surrendered just four hits. The Mavs mustered three hits off Matreale but drew five walks. Lauren Larson had a double for UNO, and Amber Lutmer and Molly Negrete each had singles.  

In the nightcap, Cleveland State jumped out in front with two runs in the first inning. The Vikings tacked on two more in the fifth for a 4-0 lead. 

UNO cut the lead in half with both of its runs in the sixth inning. Tonya Peterson led the inning off with a double. Amber Lutmer drew a walk. After two Mavs were retired, Mara Eeman doubled to left field to score both runners.

But the Mavs couldn't overcome the deficit in the seventh inning and dropped the game. Dana Elsasser gave up just two hits in the loss, as the Mavs committed five errors.

UNO is back in action with two games on Tuesday. The Mavs face Wagner and Manhattan, beginning at 8 a.m. CT.