The Capital University softball team was unable to gain momentum heading into the second half of the Ohio Athletic Conference season, falling in a pair of games at Mount Union.on Saturday in Alliance, Ohio.

The Crusaders (16-14 overall, 3-9 OAC) were defeated 3-0 in the first game before a gut-wrenching, late-inning 6-5 setback in the nightcap.

In the second game, the Purple Raiders (12-12-1, 6-6) tallied three unanswered runs in the final two innings, including two in the bottom of the seventh to win in walk-off fashion.

Capital plated two runs in the top of the first to take an early lead on an sacrifice fly by freshman designated player Marisa Koss (Ostrander, Ohio) and a two-out RBI single by sophomore third baseman Katlyn Simpson (Loudonville, Ohio).

Mount Union leveled the contest at 2-2 in the bottom half of the frame and took a 3-2 lead with a run in the second.

The Crusaders responded to tie the affair in the top of the third on another two-out, run-scoring base hit, this time by freshman shortstop Jessica Robinson (Beavercreek, Ohio).

Sophomore catcher Sarah Nist (North Canton, Ohio) led off the top of the fourth with a solo home run, her second of the year, to give Capital the lead. Sophomore second baseman Brooklyn Staten (Grove City, Ohio) added an RBI single later in the inning to make it 5-3.

The Crusaders had a chance to add insurance runs in the sixth, but left two runners on base.

Junior pitcher Alyssa Patznick (Newark, Ohio) took the loss to fall to 10-6, allowing just three earned runs in six innings in relief of junior starter Brooke Billings (Clyde, Ohio).

Junior centerfielder Kelsey Swain (Pickerington, Ohio) and junior left fielder LeAnna Cotton (Okeechobee, Fla.) each totaled three hits to lead Capital, which finished the game with 13 hits. Staten was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

In the opener, the Purple Raiders scored once in the first and twice in the second to account for the only runs scored in the contest.

The Crusaders had their best chance to score in the top of the sixth, but left the bases loaded.

Simpson posted a pair of hits to lead the offense. Billings (6-7) took the loss, tossing the first two innings before being relieved by Patznick, who struck out six without allowing a run in four frames.

Capital returns to league play Tuesday against Marietta at Clowson Field. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m.