Park University's softball program had its season opener on Saturday in Kansas City, Mo. at Avila University, but the Eagles and Columbia College Cougars seized the day against Park, 5-16 and 2-10.

These games were originally slated to be played in Parkville, but inclement weather pushed these games to the turf at Avila.

GAME 1 vs Avila | L, 16-5 | Box Score

The Pirates won the first half of the game, breaking through with back-to-back solo home runs against Chloe Gilbert and Dani-Quinn Klein McAllister. In the top of the third, Avila equaled things out with a two-run home run.

Two singles to start the bottom of the third inning was a good start for Park, courtesy of Caroline Ray and Gracie Ramsey. Magee had a sacrifice bunt to move both runners in scoring position, which allowed Shelby Sanders to drive in a run on a sacrifice fly. With two outs, Gilbert kept a hot bat with a single down the right field line to regain a two run lead.

The second half of the game was all Avila with two doubles in the fourth to overtake Park, 5-4. The next inning was the knock out blow though, as Rori Hornung relieved Lauren Fiene, and the Eagles scored five more runs. There was one solo home run, but then four unearned runs came in on two errors and four hits.

Gilbert got her third RBI of the game on a walk with the bases loaded, but Avila continued to score to finish Park off, 16-5. Park was responsible for five errors in the game to only one for Avila.

The Pirates hit it well with 12 hits, but Avila had 15 hits with six extra-base hits in the contest. The Eagles also took advantage of seven walks for the game.

Ramsey and Ray each had three hits for Park, while Gilbert was two-for-two with three RBI's.

GAME 2 vs Columbia | L, 10-2 | Box Score

Park has defeated Columbia twice in the last two seasons, but the Cougars were able to capitalize towards the middle of this game for the 10-2 win.

Two Polo, Mo. natives got the start in the circle and behind the dish. Hanna Vaught, a freshman, got her first collegiate start and she pitched to a familiar target in Gilbert in her second season at Park.

Vaught pitched a 1-2-3 inning to open the game and battled through in the next two innings, leaving three runners left on.

Two fielding errors began the game for the Cougars in the field, but Columbia pitched out of danger stranding two Pirates. Park had two more innings with batters retired in order before Columbia scored the game's first runs in the fourth.

The Cougars had the first five batters of the fourth inning reach safely before the first out was recorded. Three runs scored on a bunt single with a throw that went up the line, which then led to a single up the middle that scored two runners in scoring position. A double-play by Halle Magee ended the inning, but the score was 3-0 Cougars.

Gilbert and McAllister were bringing the offense in game two as well with a double by Gilbert and a triple by McAllister to get Park on the board, 3-1.

Park had six errors in the field for the game though with three errors in the next two innings to aid the Cougars in scoring six more runs to lead 9-1.

Gilbert singled to start off the sixth inning and came around to score on a Vaught double, but the Cougars would add another run in the top of the seventh for the 10-2 win.

When the snow melts, Park hopes to host Tabor College on Friday, February 21 at the Park Softball Complex for a 1pm doubleheader. WATCH