MAYFIELD, Ky. - The Mid-Continent University softball team has struggled at times to score runs this season, and on Saturday that issue cost them both games of a double header.

Lindsey Rucker pitched a pair of complete games for Mid-Continent (1-9), yielding just three earned runs in 14 innings of work, but the Cougars' bats fell silent, as Missouri Baptist (5-3) took a pair of 3-0 wins.

Both contests were pitchers' duels from the start. Rucker battled Jena Trombley in game one, with each pitcher hanging zeros on the scoreboard in the first six innings. Each team stranded two runners in an inning twice in the first six frames, but in the seventh, Missouri Baptist broke through. The Spartans took advantage of a Mid-Continent error to plate three unearned tallies in the frame, and after retiring the Cougars in the seventh, the Spartans had taken game one 3-0.

Trombley (3-0) yielded just six hits and one walk in the shutout, out-dueling Rucker, who scattered seven hits and fanned four Spartans. Bry Navarro notched a pair of hits in the game, with Courtney Woods belting a double as well.

Game two was a strikingly similar contest to game one. This time, it was Courtney Washington who battled Rucker in the circle. Again, both teams were held scoreless into the seventh inning. With two outs in the top of the seventh, Donyelle DeMarse laced a pinch hit RBI-triple. Megan Wildhaber then delivered the knockout blow, launching a two-run homer to left field, and providing the final Margin of victory as the Spartans completed the sweep with a second 3-0 win.

Washington (1-2) held the Cougars to one hit - a single from Courtney Woods to lead off the fourth inning - while walking two and striking out four. Rucker (0-5) again allowed only seven hits and three runs in the loss.

Mid-Continent will be back on the field on Tuesday afternoon, heading to Springfield, Ill. to take on the Bulldogs of Benedicting University-Springfield (0-2) at 2 p.m.