TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Bellevue University softball team opened up play at the Tucson Invitational Games on Sunday with a 3-0 loss to La Sierra University. The Bruins managed just three hits in the loss and were shut out for the first time this season.
The loss dropped the Bruins to 8-5 on the season. La Sierra improved to 3-17 overall.
Danielle Pfenning (1-2) recorded the complete-game shutout victory, allowing three hits with four walks and five strikeouts in seven innings in the circle.
The Golden Eagles took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI single to center field by Jillian Hernandez and a two-run double to left field by Hailey Marquez.
Bellevue threatened in the top of the seventh after Pfenning gave up a pair of walks as BU had runners on first and second with one out. Pfenning induced a force out and struck out Savannah Short to secure the shutout victory.
Abby Dworak (1-1) suffered the loss, giving up three runs on four hits with one walk and one strikeout in one inning of work.
On Monday, the Bruins will continue action at the Tucson Invitational Games when they battle sixth-ranked Madonna University at noon (CT).
