COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women's softball squad continued its recent struggles, losing a doubleheader at home versus the University of Tennessee-Southern. The Owls (14-14) fell to the Firehawks (12-25) by scores of 7-4 and 7-5 at Don Usher Field,
 
The setback also dropped The W to .500 on the season, losing for the eighth-consecutive outing.
 
In the first game of the day, UTS scored first and the Owls matched them in their half of the opening inning. With Jessica Deming (2-3) on second, Madison Crosby got a single that advanced her to third. Crosby then intentionally got into a rundown between first and second, with an alert Deming scooting home.
 
The Firehawks plated single runs in the second, third, and fifth innings to lead 4-1.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, the Owls were able to knot the contest at 4-4.  A Deming double to left drove home Abby Schlude (1-2). Emilee Slade (1-2) then laid down a perfect squeeze bunt that plated Maddy Suggs (1-3), before a Crosby ground out RBI evened matters.
                                                                                                                                                      
The Firehawks got to MUW starter Rylie Grisham (6-5) for another two runs in the sixth and another off reliever Bailey McClellan in the seventh.
 
In game two, MUW found itself down by a bunch early, as UTS posted three runs in the first and four in the second. That forced The W to play catch-up.
 
Owls' starter Avery Byerley (1-4) gave up six hits and six earned runs in 1.0 innings in taking the loss. McClellan gave up one run in 1.1 innings. Jade Rushing was stingy during her 4.2 innings, permitting one hit and no runs in her stint.
 
Deming went 2-for-3 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored. She also walked twice.
 
Grisham (2-4) also had multiple hits, as did Maiya Joe (2-3). Grisham drove in a pair of runs.