Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The Rockhurst softball team opened the 2014 season with a pair of losses in the 8-State Classic Friday in Bentonville, Ark. The Hawks fell to Harding 11-10 and later in the day suffered a 7-4 loss to Illinois Springfield.

Harding scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to ruin Rockhurst's opening game. Freshman Lauren Cairo gave the Hawks a 10-9 lead with a home run in the top of the seventh.

The Hawks rallied from a 5-0 deficit to take a 9-8 lead in the sixth. A two-run single by Katelyn Bakey capped the rally. Bakey led Rockhurst with two hits and three RBIs. Demi Plathe collected three hits and a solo home run. Gabbie Boerema and Cairo each had two hits. Bridgette Sappington took the loss in her first collegiate game.

Plathe and Alex Jacobson paced the Hawks with two hits apiece in the loss to Springfield. Bakey drove in two runs with a single in the fifth and sacrifice fly in the seventh. Plathe was the losing pitcher.

Rockhurst play Nebraska-Kearney and Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday in the 8-State Classic.