Despite getting swept in its first home doubleheader of the season, the Muhlenberg softball team showed the progress it has made in a short time.

Two weeks ago in Florida, the Mules gave up five runs in the first inning and lost to Oneonta State, 13-2. Facing the same Red Dragon team at home, the Mules played two competitive games and came close to winning the second.

Oneonta State (8-5) scored three late runs to pull away for a 6-2 win in the opener, then scored two runs with two outs in the top of the seventh for a 4-3 victory in the nightcap.

The Mules (6-10) trailed 2-0 in the fourth inning of the second game when freshman Kristina Qualben (pictured above) launched her third home run of the season to tie the score.

Two innings later, Muhlenberg loaded the bases with one out on walks to sophomore Paige Seitz and Qualben and a single by sophomore Haley Fedak. Senior Nicole Iannarone hit a sacrifice fly to center to plate Seitz with the go-ahead run.

Fedak pitched a complete-game six hitter and allowed only two earned runs. She was one out away from the win before the Red Dragons stole the game.

The Mules were held to three hits and scored both of their runs on wild pitches in the opener.