OWINGS MILLS, Md. - For the second straight doubleheader, the Stevenson softball team's offense was held in check as the Mustangs recorded just nine combined hits in MAC Commonwealth losses to Arcadia in the conference opener Saturday afternoon at Weinberg-Fine Stadium.

The Mustangs (3-7, 0-2 MAC Commonwealth) was shutout for the second time in the last three games in an 8-0 six inning loss before falling 8-2 in the second game.

A three-run first inning by the Knights (10-4, 2-0 MAC Commonwealth) got the visiting offense going. The leadoff batter got on base with a hit up the middle before moving to second on a wild pitch. The following batter brought in the run with another hit up the middle.

With runners on first and third and one out, Stevenson tried to throw out the steal attempt at second, which allowed the runner on third to score. A two-out fielding error allowed the third run to score, unearned.

After the leadoff batter for Arcadia got on base in the second inning, two outs moved the runner to third before a single up the middle gave the visitors a 4-0 lead. The Knights base runner was called out after leaving the bag early, something that happened three times in the game.

The Mustangs had runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the third inning on a hit by sophomore Erin Stephey and a walk by junior Tiffany McKee. A single up the middle by junior Brooke Steinbach loaded the bases with just one out but all three runners were left stranded.

Stevenson totaled seven infield pop-ups in the game, including two in the third inning.

McKee made a diving catch on the warning track on a hard hit ball to right centerfield to start the top of the fifth inning. But the next two batters got on base and advanced two bags each on passed balls, including scoring a run.

A two-out single to centerfield scored two unearned runs to give Arcadia a 7-0 lead.

Following a three-up, three-down inning by the Mustangs in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Knights scored their eighth run after back-to-back two-out hits.

The second game started as a defensive battle as both pitchers retired the side in order in the first inning. But the Knights scored a run in each of the next four innings to take a 4-0 lead.

Arcadia loaded the bases in the second inning with no outs but scored just one run out of it on a sacrifice fly to right field. The Knights leadoff batter scored a run in the third before adding another run on a two-out solo home run in the fourth inning.

The visitors scored another two-out run in the fifth after scoring from second on a single up the middle.

The Mustangs finally got on the board in the fifth inning as junior Jasmyn Ogletree hit a leadoff home run on the first pitch. With two outs in the inning, both junior Alli Culp and senior Nicole Dell got on base before Stephey hit an RBI single.

The Knights added two runs in each of the sixth and seventh inning, including a two-run home run in the sixth.

Dell went 3-for-3 at the plate in the second game while Stephey recorded two hits on the day.

Stevenson returns to action on Sunday, March 26 when the Mustangs travel to Widener for a MAC Commonwealth doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.