BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Panthers opened up their start of the BSC Softball Classic with two big wins over LeTourneau and Mount St. Joseph. Both games ended in walk-off runs brought in from errors made by the visiting teams, with one game finishing in extra innings. 

Game one: LeTourneau started off hot against the Panthers in the first inning, scoring three runs with two home runs and an RBI single. BSC came back with an immediate single from Morgan McGuire to start it off. Kailey Walters singled to advance Kaylyn Chapman to second, who perviously reached on a fielders choice. Sam Hilyer then drew a walk to make it bases loaded for the Panthers. The Yellowjackets were able to hold off one run with a force out at home plate. Lauren Cabiness retaliated with a 2 RBI single up the middle that brought in Sam Hilyer and Kailey Walters. 

Both teams fought off runs until Birmingham-Southern found their momentum in the bottom of the third. Kaylyn Chapman got things moving with a single up the middle and Kailey Walters followed right behind with a single to third base. Cassidy Dickson joined in with a 2 RBI single that put the Panthers up 4-3 over LeTourneau. Another single from Lauren Cabiness brought in Dickson to make it a two run game at 5-3. LeTourneau fired right back, scoring two more runs of their own in the top of the fourth, to tie it up at 5-5. The Panthers fought off LeTourneau from taking the lead and took it for themselves with Piper Lowery scoring on a throwing error by the first baseman. 

Keeping up with the pace of the game, the Yellowjackets fought back with two more runs of their own. The first was scored on an error by the catcher and the second was brought in from a double to right center field, putting LETU back in the lead, 7-6. Birmingham-Southern was not done fighting just yet. With LETU only one out away from taking the game, Izzy Berkopec singled to right field, followed by a single from Leah Wood. Alyssa Fowler brought in the tying run with another single to center field and the Panthers walked it off with Leah Wood scoring on a wild pitch from the Yellowjackets. 

Pitching decisions
WIN: Hailee Bryan (2-0)
LOSS: Hailee Leger (0-1)

Records
#5 Birmingham-Southern 3-0 Overall, LeTourneau 0-4 Overall

Game two: Coming off a hot walk-off win, the Panthers were ready for their next game against Mount St. Joseph. Birmingham-Southern was the first on the board, keeping their momentum going. Morgan McGuire once again started it off with a single to third base. Kaylyn Chapman drew a walk that advanced McGuire to second, Chapman stole second and advanced to third which pushed McGuire home to earn the first run for the Panthers. Sam Hilyer came through with another single to the left side that brought Chapman home to make it 2-0 for BSC.

The game continued on with no runs from either team until Birmingham-Southern extended their lead to 3-0 over the Lions. Leah Wood brought in Kailey Walters with a single up the middle in the bottom of the fifth. Feeling good and heading into the seventh inning, the Panthers still held their three run lead. The Lions were not ready to give up their fight just yet, with BSC one out away from closing out the game, the Lions tied up the game. The Panthers could not find another run in the bottom of the seventh so the game headed into extra innings. Birmingham-Southern was able to hold off Mount St. Joseph from scoring another run in the eighth, with an automatic runner put on second. Piper Lowery was put on second for the Panthers and Izzy Berkopec put out a sac-bunt that advanced Lowery to third. Once again winning on a walk-off, Lowery was able to score on a throwing error made by the Lions, ending the game in the bottom of the eighth. 

News and Notes
> Piper Lowery made her collegiate debut with two runs scored on the day
> Kailey Walters hit .500 on the day with 3 runs
> Hailee Bryan had a career second best with 9 strikeouts against Mount St. Joseph

Pitching decisions
WIN: Cassidy Dickson (2-0)
LOSS: Kamryn McCool (0-1)

Records
#5 Birmingham-Southern 4-0 Overall, Mount St. Joseph 1-1 Overall

Up next
The Panthers will play their final games in the BSC Softball Classic on Sunday Feb. 20 at the Hoover Met. The Panthers will face Huntingdon at 1 p.m. and DePauw at 3 p.m.