GREENVILLE, Ill. – The UW-Stevens Point softball team (5-4) took a weather-shortened loss to No. 9 Luther (8-1) by a 9-4 score, but it was one big inning by the Norse that hampered UWSP's effort.
 
Alyssa Cooper (Little Suamico, Wis./Bay Port) had one of the Pointers' five hits.  She drove in two of the four runs in the game.  Paige Allen (South Elgin, Ill./South Elgin) and Morgan Johnson (Combined Locks, Wis./Kaukauna) had a hit and a RBI each, with Johnson also scoring a run.
 
Sydney Opdahl (Greenfield, Wis./Whitnall) singled and scored a run.  Freshman Tatum Tackmier (Ashwaubenon, WIs./Ashwaubenon) drew a walk and scored a run.
 
The Norse opened the scoring in the bottom of the second.  A leadoff walk followed by a UWSP error opened the door for a seven-run inning.  Luther had five hits in the frame and drew four walks.
 
Opdahl singled to begin the third as UWSP attempted a comeback.  Tackmier walked and Payton Mix (New London, Wis./New London) coaxed a base on balls to load the bases.  Johnson drove in a run on a fielder's choice and Cooper plated two with a single to cut the deficit to 7-3.
 
Luther added two runs in the third without a hit.  The Norse drew a walk, two hit by pitches and a pair of passed balls allowed the two runs to score.
 
Rebecca Kurszewski (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH) and Opdahl drew walks in the fourth.  With two away, Allen drove in a run with a single.
 
In the middle of the fifth, the game was called due to weather conditions.  Game two was postponed.
 
UWSP will travel to Florida for the PDX Spring Games beginning on March 22 with a 4:30 p.m. ET game against Kalamazoo College.