A split of two games on Saturday gave the Mississippi University for Women softball team a 3-1 start after the season-opening MUW Invitational at Don Usher Field.

The Owls lost their first Saturday game, 6-3 to Covenant College, before bouncing back with a 9-1 drubbing of Sewanee.

In the opener, The W got off to a fast start against Covenant, building a 3-1 lead through four innings. But the Scots chased freshman starter Jade Rushing in the fifth.

The Owls managed just five hits, with junior infielder Riley Phillips belting a triple, driving in a run and scoring a run. Jessica Deming, Anna Sandlin, Jaelynn Palmer and Maddy Suggs had the other hits for the Owls, all singles.

The Owls amassed nine hits against Sewanee, six for extra bases. Sophomore catcher Ashton Farnell carried the big stick with a double and a home run, scoring twice and driving in two runs.

Rylie Grisham went 2 for 3 with a double and 3 RBIs for The W, while senior outfielder Madison Crosby drove in 2 runs. 

Amelia Stalter scattered four hits and allowed one run. She struck out six and walked two in her five-inning complete game. 

On Friday, the Owls took down Covenant 5-3 and Sewanee 3-1.

The pitching tandem of Stalter in the first game and Grisham in the second proved to be a lethal combination. Both threw complete games with good control. Stalter struck out nine while walking only one during a 6-hitter. 

Grisham carried a shutout into the seventh inning, scattering 4 hits.

Next up for the Owls is a trip to Laurel for a doubleheader against Southeastern Baptist College beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday. They will host another three-team, round-robin event Friday and Saturday, welcoming Agnes Scott College and Washington University-St. Louis to Columbus.