ABILENE, Texas – The Midwestern State University softball team improved to 8-3 on the young season as they picked up a pair of wins in the first day of the CBS Insurance Classic hosted by Abilene Christian University.

MSU defeated Southwestern Oklahoma State 6-0, then downed West Texas A&M 11-6 in first day play.

In defeating SWOSU, senior Brittany Willson tossed a three-hitter in route to her second shutout of the season. Willson struck out 13 in collecting her sixth win of the season.

Offensively, Chantelle Lee smacked a three-run home run, while Stephanie Wardlaw went 3-for-3 and Kelli Shaw went 3-for-4.

Ashley Kuchinski struckout six to even her record at 2-2 for the year with the win against West Texas A&M.  The high scoring highlights were capped with Sarah Huddleston's third inning grand slam, her second homer of the year.  Allison Tidwell had a triple in going 1-for-3, while Wardlaw was 2-for-4 as was Kristen Stonecipher.

MSU is slated to face St. Mary's on Friday at 2 p.m., followed by St. Edward's at 4 p.m. in the tournament.