Game 1: 

Neosho Softball pulled away with two wins for their home opener, beating Ottawa University on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The Panthers won game one 11-2 thanks to a timely six runs in a big first inning.  Cassidy Paulson, Katie Boline, Hannah Duin, Karley Crowe, and Lydia Brown each had RBIs in the frame. Leadoff hitter Journee Zito and two hole hitter Cassidy Paulson started off the game with back-to-back doubles. The Panthers tallied 11 hits in the ballgame.  Paulson, Boline, and Kirsten Birdwell each had multiple hits for the Panthers. Paulson led with three hits in three at bats, with two doubles and a single. She also earned the win in the circle, only giving up two runs on four hits over five innings, and striking out nine.

Game 2:

Neosho won game two in a little bit of a tighter game with Ottawa scoring in the first inning. Ravin Moore led the Panthers to victory in the circle. The righty lasted five innings, allowing six hits and five runs while striking out three and walking only one. Lauren Fuller and Cassidy Paulson entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Neosho pulled away for good with four runs in the third inning. In the thir, Kirsten Birdwell homered on the first pitch of her at bat, scoring three runs. Later in the inning, Jena Stahl was hit by a pitch, earning herself a painful RBI. Birdwell led the Panthers with three hits in four at bats. Paulson had quick feet with two of the five total stolen bases in the game.

The Panthers will look to staty hot as they will travel to Crowder College for a doubleheader with the Roughriders on March 2nd.