The Baker University softball team was in control for the majority of both games of its season-opening doubleheader against Ottawa University on Saturday, but the Wildcats were swept by the visiting Braves, falling by the scores of 8-7 and 7-4.

In game one, sophomore Alyse Menghini hit a three-run home run in the first inning to give the junior starting pitcher Erin Greenwood and the Wildcats an early 3-0 lead.

Menghini kept the Wildcats’ offense rolling in her next plate appearance as she drove in freshman Ilona Miller with a RBI single.

The Wildcats pushed their lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the fifth when senior Summer Kelley knocked in Greenwood with a RBI single. Greenwood was in command on the mound through five innings as she limited the Braves to two hits, but Ottawa’s offense came alive in the sixth.

After singles from Kady Blevins and Alyssa Miller, Amanda Martinsen put the Braves on the scoreboard with a three-run home run to bring Ottawa within 5-3.

Baker responded in the home half of the inning when Menghini recorded her fifth RBI after driving home Greenwood to extend the Wildcats’ advantage to 6-3.

BU had the Braves down to their last strike when Miller cleared the bases with a three-run double.

The ‘Cats came up empty in the bottom of the seventh inning and the game went into extra innings.

The Braves kept momentum by scoring two runs on two hits and an error in the top of the eighth. The Wildcats battled back in the bottom half of the inning when junior Renata Dill drove in sophomore Peyton Weekly with a RBI single, but BU went on to fall by the score of 8-7.

Greenwood was saddled with the complete game loss as she threw 154 pitches. Morgan Beckler was the winning pitcher for the Braves.

In game two, the Braves scored first with a run in the top of the third, but the Wildcats jumped on top with three in the bottom of the inning. Greenwood and freshmen Frankie Farrant and Mallorie Nelson each recorded RBI singles.

The Wildcats maintained that lead until the Braves exploded for six runs in the sixth off of Nelson to take a 7-3 advantage. BU scored once on another RBI single from Farrant, but the Wildcats lost 7-4.

Baker will have a 12-day layoff before it takes the diamond again for a doubleheader against Bethany College Feb. 21 at Cavaness Field.