Ferrum, Va. - N.C. Wesleyan's softball team saw its 2017 season come to an end on Saturday in the first round of the USA South Conference Tournament. Playing a best-of-3 series versus 3rd-seeded Ferrum, the 4th-seeded Bishops dropped the first two games by 6-0 and 5-1 scores.

In the opener, the Panthers (20-13) opened up a 5-0 lead after two innings of play, and Courtney Rudd did the rest on the mound in the complete-game, 6-hit shutout. Sophomore Hannah Ivester tallied three of the Bishops' hits, while Cheyenne Strickland paced Ferrum with a 3-for-4 showing of her own.

Game two saw Wesleyan's offensive struggles continue, as junior Sarah Bowyer drove in NCWC's lone run of the day with a single to right field in the second inning. FC's Ashton Lambeth surrendered just five hits in the game, while Strickland again went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.

Wesleyan ends the season with an 18-20 overall record.