TOPEKA, Kan. – The Southwest Minnesota State University softball team opened its 2023 season today suffering a 2-0 loss to Fort Hays State (Kan.) at the Washburn University Invitational.
 
SMSU's second game versus Pittsburg State (Kan.) was canceled in the third inning due to icy field conditions.
 
In the opener, FHSU (5-5) pushed across a run in the second and then added an inside-the-park home run in the third to score the game's lone runs.
 
The Mustangs had singles to begin the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, but failed to push across a run against the Tigers' Savanah Egger, who tossed a 3-hit shutout with six strikeouts and no walks.
 
Abby Russell, Riley Kramolisch and Makenna Waldow collected the hits for SMSU.
 
Shelby Bloemendaal (0-1) started in the circle for SMSU and allowed two runs on eight hits with a pair of strikeouts.
 
SMSU resumes play on Saturday taking on Emporia State (Kan.) at 3:30 p.m. and Northwest Missouri State at 5:30 p.m.