The Misericordia University softball team opened the Freedom Conference Championships with a 7-5 loss to King's at Wilkes University Friday.

The Cougars took an early lead on an RBI double in the bottom of the first by third baseman Hollie Sarnak, but a string of unearned runs in the top of the third may have cost starting pitcher Kat Lucenti the game.

A dropped third strike, a single to left and an error allowed the Lady Monarchs to knot the game at 1-1.

A passed ball cost the Cougars the lead, and an infield single put the Lady Monarchs up 3-1.

Lucenti finally allowed an earned run in the fifth on an RBI single.

The Cougars fought in the bottom of the sixth. Sarnak led off with a sure-shot liner over the center field wall. Nicole Wenner followed with a homer to left to put the Cougars back in it, 4-3.

But a three-run double in the top of the seventh put the Lady Monarchs up 7-3.

Lucenti shot a double to the right-center gap to try to put a fire into her cause in the bottom of the seventh and Courtney Novajosky followed with a homer to center that put the Cougars within 7-5.

Two batters later, Sarnak walked and sent Wenner back to the plate. Wenner worked the count to 2-2 but struck out swinging to end the game.

The Cougars return to action tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. when they face Delaware Valley in an elimination game.