LATROBE, Pa. – Lady Baron softball had its best performance in recent years against the 12-4 St. Vincent College Bearcats with a seven inning 8-1 loss and a 10-0 loss.

The 8-1 game went the full seven innings, avoiding the five-inning mercy rule, and giving a performance head coach Jen Parker said she was proud of.

"I was really pleased we went the distance with them that first game," Parker said about her team's play against the established Bearcat program. "The box score really didn't show how well we played."

Standing out at the end of the first game was sophomore pitcher Eloise Rover who made her first appearance of the season in relief of workhorse pitcher Ashley Ruttencutter.

Rover, who joined the team earlier in the week, came in during the fourth inning and only allowed one run and one walk in 2.2 innings. Rover also pitched the entirety of the second game and got her first strikeout of the season.

"She came in really strong and I was quite proud of the effort she put forth for us," Parker said. "For it being her first game, she pitched really well."

Freshman shortstop Kim Muscat also played well in the first game, scoring the team's only run the hard way. Muscat bunted to get on first and then put herself in scoring position with by stealing second.

After a groundout from junior infielder Katrina Fabian brought her over to third, an attempted steal of second base from freshman Caitlyn Fodor gave Muscat the chance to steal home.

"The steal at second was to force the throw so Kim could steal home and it worked," Parker said.

While the Lady Baron's confident base running gave them the day's only run, Parker said her team needed to find more confidence at the plate.

"The girls that we faced today had a little bit of speed on their pitches, so I think that was a little bit intimidating," Parker said. "Once they would get a hit off of her they were confident, so it's just about getting that confidence."

The speed of the Bearcat's pitchers continued to be a problem for FUS in their second game, as Fabian and Muscat were the only Lady Barons to muster a hit, although Fabian put herself in scoring position with a triple to center field.

Despite the offensive struggles, Parker said the two games were a positive for her team and demonstrated the development of her team.

"We're definitely growing and improving," Parker said. "We just need to work out some of the kinks and bringing our runners home."

The Lady Barons will continue to work out the kinks as they start conference play on the road against Penn St.-Altoona on March 26 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.