ANGOLA, Ind. – The No. 23 UW-Stevens Point softball team (32-8) suffered its first run-rule loss of the season in a 9-0 loss to Mount Union (33-8) in the NCAA Tournament opener on Thursday.
 
Senior Allie Meyers (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) and junior Rachel Baker (Richmond, Ill./Richmond-Burton Community) had a base hit each, the only hits of the game for the Pointers.
 
The Purple Raiders got on the board in the top of the first with four runs on just one hit. UMU worked four walks, including one intentionally, and a hit batter to take a 4-0 lead.
 
Sara Traxel (Oak Creek, Wis./Oak Creek) worked a leadoff walk in the bottom of the first. With two down, Meyers singled up the middle, but Traxel was cut down attempting to advance to third.
 
The Purple Raiders added a single tally in the second on two hits. Another run scored in the third on one hit as UMU took a 6-0 lead. Three runs on three hits in the fourth gave Mount Union a 9-0 lead.
 
Baker singled with one out in the bottom of the fourth. She was replaced at first by Meyers on a fielder's choice as UWSP was unable to generate a run.
 
Neither team scored in the fifth to complete the game.
 
Morgan Harwood (Neenah, Wis./Neenah) went just 0.2 innings in the start and walked a season-high four. Elli Matzke (Glendale Heights, Ill./Glenbard North) went 3.1 in relief. Caitlyn Hartsell made her third appearance of the season and tossed a scoreless frame with one strikeout.
 
The Pointers face Westminster (PA) in an elimination game at 1:30 p.m. ET on Friday (May 17). The winner advances to another elimination game at 4:00 p.m. ET.