WARRENSBURG, Mo. — The Arkansas Tech Golden  Suns softball team was unable to solve Henderson State's Michelle Sorenson in the opening round of the Division II Central Region Championship, falling 9-1 to the Reddies on Friday.

Tech's Kelsie Barker held the Reddies off the scoreboard until the fourth inning, when a pair of RBI singles gave the Reddies a 2-0 lead. Tech struck back in the top of the fifth, using a pinch-hit RBI double by Sam Herweck to get on the board and cut the HSU lead to 2-1.

The Reddies picked up a pair of runs in the fifth to extend their lead to 4-1, and then in the sixth inning, HSU loaded the bases on a pair of walks and a single. A bases-loaded walk pushed HSU's lead to 5-1, and then a grand slam by Ashlyn White provided all the offense that the Reddies would need.

Sorensen, the Great American Conference's Pitcher of the Year, held the Golden Suns to four hits on the contest.

The Golden Suns will return to action on Saturday, facing Missouri Western in an elimination contest at 2:30 p.m. The game will be carried live on 100.9-FM (KWKK) in Russellville, with live video, audio, and statistics available at www.arkansastechsports.com.

The winner  will turn around and play the losing team of the opening game of the day between Henderson State and Central Missouri in a 5 p.m. contest.