By The Hays Daily News

BENTONVILLE, Ark -- The Fort Hays State Unviersity softball team is off to a 7-1 start after splitting its final two games Sunday in the Bentonville Tournament.

The Tigers suffered their first loss in Sunday's first game, falling 6-1 to Illinois-Springfield, then bounced back for a 6-0 win against University of Nebraska-Kearney, the Tigers' third win against the Lopers this season.

In the loss to Springfield (2-3), Fort Hays allowed five runs through the final two innings after the Tigers' Maddie Holub had tied the game with a solo home run in the fourth.

Paxton Duran (3-1) took the loss for Fort Hays in the complete game. She gave up six runs (five earned) on six hits with 10 strikeouts to four walks. Holub's home run was one of only three hits for the Tigers against UIS starter Cheyanne Bowman (2-0). Bianca Adame was 1-for-4 and Danie Brinkmann 1-for-2.

Against Kearney (3-6), Holub was dominant on the mound. She struck out 12 batters with two walks. Holub (3-0) has pitched 23 innings with no earned runs to start the year. Adame had three hits for the Tigers and scored two runs in the leadoff spot, while Amadna Vaupel drove in a pair of runs and scored wons. Tori Beltz drove in a pair of runs as well.

The Tigers head to Rochester, Minn., on Friday for five games in three days at the NSIC/MIAA Crossover Dome Tournament. The tourney begins with one game at 9a.m. Friday against Concordia-St. Paul.