(PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL)--Mount Union's softball team scored an 8-3 win over Methodist (NC) and a 5-4 extra innings win over Lake Forest (IL) Wednesday in Panama City Beach, Florida.

After jumping out to a 4-0 lead on Methodist, junior right fielder Jill Rader (Ashland/Ashland) belted a three run home run to add to the lead and make the score 7-0 as the Raiders went on to an 8-3 victory.   

Rader drove in another run on an RBI single and finished the day 2-for-4 with four RBI.

Sophomore pitcher Bre Willis (Navarre/Fairless) allowed just three runs on eight hits and struck out five to get her second win of the season.

Rader also came up with the game-winning hit in a 5-4 eight inning win over Lake Forest later in the day.

Alex Lucak (Maple Heights/Trinity) drove in the Raiders' first four runs on a two RBI double and a two-run home run that gave Mount Union a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning.

Lake Forest rallied to tie the game with a pair of runs in the sixth.

Freshman Rachel McAninch (West Jefferson/West Jefferson) struck out three over the first seven innings and Willis came in and slammed the door in the eighth to pick up the save.

After an off day Thursday, the Purple Raiders start tournament play on Friday with a day-night double header against Methodist at 11 am (CST) followed by Gustavus Adolphus (MN) at 6:30 pm (CST) at the Frank Brown Complex in Panama City Beach, Florida.