AIKEN - The Lander softball team split its games Saturday in the season-opening Aiken Early Bird Tournament. The Bearcats defeated Chowan, 8-0, in five innings in the first game, then fell to Barton College, 3-1, in the second.

Sophomore pitcher Hayley Leissner (1-0) picked up the shutout win against Chowan as she struck out six. Daisy Stewart had a three-run home run in the third inning and Rachelle Adkins added a solo shot in the fourth.  Brittney Sheriff, Haley Foster and Casey Corbitt all collected two hits, while Alyssa Hartley blasted a two-RBI double.

In the second game, Amanda Hamby (0-1) suffered the loss, while Shelbey Spencer only allowed one hit and had five strikeouts in relief. Natalie Smith went 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Stewart and Sheriff also went 1-for-3.