The Winfield-Mount Union Wolves defeated the Columbus Wildcats 5-3 in Southeast Iowa Super Conference softball Friday night. Columbus took the initial lead with two runs in the third inning and would still be in front 3-1 going into the seventh. But that’s when Winfield-Mount Union came through with four runs in the final frame and got three outs to earn a conference victory.

Freshman Lilly Heckethorn led the Wolves’ lineup with two hits, including one run scored and one run batted in. Senior Makiah Lower also had two hits and scored once for WMU, while sophomore Quin Smith stroked a double on her way to a RBI and crossing home plate once.

Sophomore Katie Miller also had a hit and a run scored for Winfield-Mount Union, while Lower got the pitching victory for the Wolves by throwing the final four innings and allowing no earned runs on three hits and a walk.

WMU would not be able to make it back-to-back days with a win, as they fell 12-0 to East Marshall and 15-1 to BGM at a doubleheader Saturday in Brooklyn. Winfield-Mount Union is now 3-3 in the North division of the Super Conference and 4-6 overall.

Meanwhile, Columbus’ conference defeat was followed up by another pair of close losses the next day. Despite trailing 4-0 after an inning of play Saturday against Iowa Valley, the Wildcats rallied in their tournament game at West Branch with three runs in the third.

Columbus tied the game in the fourth and knotted things up again when both teams traded runs in the fifth. Unfortunately, Iowa Valley would be the only team to strike in the seventh, defeating the Wildcats 6-5.

Columbus fell behind 11-o after the first two innings of their other game Saturday against West Branch, but they nearly pulled off an improbable comeback. Two runs in the third, four in the fourth and six in the sixth tied the game up, but the Bears took a 13-12 lead in the bottom of the sixth and held on in the seventh for the win.

The losses drop Columbus to 2-12 overall, including a 2-5 record in conference play. The ‘Cats look for a fresh start when they begin this week by facing New London tonight. Meanwhile, Winfield-Mount Union is in action this evening against Van Buren County.