REDDING, Calif. – The NCU softball team was unable to find the win column on Saturday, dropping their final three games in the Simpson University Tournament. The results slowly improved throughout the day, but the result would be the same as NCU fell to 1-5 on the season.
 
The Beacons opened up Saturday morning with a 9-1 mercy-rule loss to William Jessup University in six innings. Jessup pitcher Shelbi Graifman threw a complete-game four hitter, striking out six batters. NCU's lone run came in the second inning when Taylor Medley doubled and was brought home on a Sarah Lawhorn single. Jill Suratt took the loss in the circle, allowing three earned runs over five innings while striking out four Warrior batters.
 
San Diego Christian took the afternoon tilt 5-1, scoring all five runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Hawks benefitted from a pair of NCU errors as all five runs would be unearned. Addy Hoskins and Kaeli Massetto each collected two hits for the Beacons and Hoskins claimed the RBI as Randi Kostner scored the Beacons lone run.
 
Katie Walker was the unlucky loser on record, allowing no earned runs on three hits over the first 1 2/3 innings. Breanne Johnson had a solid effort in relief, allowing just two hits over the final 4 1/3 innings.
 
A good old fashioned pitcher's duel ensued in the third game with the University of British Columbia coming out on top, 3-2. For the second straight game NCU did not allow an earned run as Suratt threw a complete-game four-hitter. Suratt (pictured) was also 2-for-3 at the dish with a double and a stolen base while Kostner scored both of the teams runs.
 
NCU will look to rebound on Wednesday as they travel to face Pacific University for a non-conference double-header, beginning at 5:00 pm.