A four-run first inning was all visiting Slater needed Tuesday for a 5-3 non-conference victory over the Marshall softball team.

Freshman Betty Goodman drew a walk to begin the game and singles by senior Rachel Gonzalez, juniors Hannah Doherty and Niki Kruger, and sophomore Ana Jackson produced runs.

Recently inserted into the clean-up spot in the Lady Wildcats' batting order, Doherty came up with another single with one out in the third inning. An error and passed ball sent her to third base, from where she scored on Kruger's grounder for a 5-0 lead.

The Lady Owls began their comeback bid in the bottom of the third. Sophomore Kelsey Griffin scored when her two-out double got away from the outfielder.

Junior Tara Bartel tripled to lead off the fourth, coming in on sophomore Emily Aldredge's roller to second base.

The same thing happened in the fifth, a Bartel triple to start the frame leading to a run on an Aldredge bouncer to third.

However, Marshall was unable to get the tying run on base, Gonzalez completing the game by retiring the side in order in the bottom of the seventh.

Doherty had three hits and Goodman added a pair of singles for Slater (3-6), which takes on Prairie Home in a non-conference contest Thursday.

The Lady Owls (2-9) will head to Kirksville on Thursday for a doubleheader, playing the regularly scheduled NCMC tilt and a game postponed by rain Sept. 8.