CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (April 2) - The Saint Vincent softball team split with reigning Presidents' Athletic Conference champion Thomas More in Kentucky to open conference play.

Saint Vincent took game one by a 2-0 margin, before falling 5-4 in another tight contest in game two.

Offense was hard to come by in game one, despite both teams combining for 15 hits. Senior right fielder Sarah Swettlen jump-started SVC as she started the game with a leadoff home run to give the Bearcats an early 1-0 lead. The Bearcats would put two more runners on in the first but Thomas More escaped further damage.

The Saints put at least one runner into scoring position in the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings but SVC pitcher Emily Duerr closed the door each time. SVC added an insurance run in the top of the fifth inning. Sophomore Shelby Noel tripled with two outs and scored on a single by Duerr.

Duerr earned the victory in game one, improving her season record to 6-3. Duerr worked all seven innings, allowing no runs while scattering seven hits. The sophomore struck out three and walked just one. Swettlen and Duerr each finished with two hits in game one.

SVC took an early lead again in game two when Duerr singled home sophomore shortstop Courtney Patterson in the top of the first. TMC responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Breanne Wallace tied things up with a solo home run in the second, making it 2-2.

After TMC went back in front in the bottom of the second, junior third baseman Kelsey Lineberger singled home pinch runner Kelly Flaherty, tying it at 3-3.

Thomas More scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to make it 5-3. Samantha Emert hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh but SVC could not get any closer to get the sweep, falling 5-4 in game two.

Emert took the loss in game two in the circle, dropping to 7-2 for 2016. The righty worked six innings, allowing five runs on 11 hits. Emert uncharacteristically walked five and struck out just one.

The split moves SVC to 13-7 overall and 1-1 in the PAC, while Thomas More goes to 14-6 overall and 1-1 in the league.

Saint Vincent returns to action with another PAC road doubleheader Tuesday, April 5 at Grove City. Start time is slated for 3:30 p.m.