Haley Hodgson took the loss despite striking out eight Lady Bucs in four innings, while giving up six hits and four runs.

Motlow State scored a two out run in the first and then added three more in the fifth and two in the sixth as Cleveland State did not score on five scattered hits. The Lady Cougars had at least one runner on base in five of the seven innings but were unable to string hits together that would have led to runs.

Freshmen players Rachel Pierce, Macy Bryant and sophomore Kaley Cagle each had one hit while first year player Grayson Brown added singles in the third and sixth inning. Pierce, Bryant, Brown, Bre Dunsmore, Lakelyn Reed and Erin Hollis return next year as the Cleveland State looks to build around these six returners for a successful 2017-2018 season.

Look for a preview of the incoming team in mid-June.