FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Goshen softball's three-game win streak came to an abrupt halt on Saturday at Saint Francis. The Leafs were shut out twice – losing the first game 2-0 and the second one 8-0 in six innings.
 
Mia Pawelski had an excellent performance on the mound. The problem was that the Cougars' Mackenzie Rust had an even better one.
 
The score was still 0-0 through the middle of the sixth, with Rust and Pawelski still dueling on the mound. But in the bottom of the sixth, Saint Francis got a couple of baserunners from a double and a walk. Then, Tori Miller broke through with a double to left that brought two runs home. Goshen couldn't retaliate in the seventh, and USF won 2-0.
 
Rust had nine strikeouts and three walks in seven innings on the way to the win. She allowed no earned runs and four hits. Pawelski allowed two earned runs and five hits in six innings. She struck out six and walked three.
 
Alyssa McDonald, Shea VanScoter, Ri Koteles, and Edith Vega all had singles for Goshen.
 
In game two, Erika Turpin would continue the dominance on the mound for the Cougars. She allowed no earned runs and no walks in six innings pitched. She struck out three Maple Leafs and allowed four hits.
 
The offense came in to back her up sooner than the first game. Saint Francis had six runs in the second inning – capped off by a two-run home run by Miller. They led by seven after two and added their eighth and final run in the sixth to hit the mercy rule.
 
Alyssa Hartman had the loss, allowing eight earned in 5.2 innings. Carissa Fillingame hit a double for Goshen, while Koteles, McDonald, and Claire Ouellette had singles.
 
Goshen hosts Bethel on Tuesday, April 5, at 3:00 pm in a U.S. Highway 20 Cup matchup. Bethel leads the rivalry this year, 7.5 – 3.5.