DUBUQUE - The Cedar Rapids Prairie softball team split a doubleheader at Dubuque Senior on Thursday and stayed in first place in the Mississippi Division standings in the Mississippi Valley Conference.

Prairie won the first game, 7-4. Dubuque Senior took the nightcap, 2-1.

Prairie has a 15-7 record in the Mississippi Division for a one-game lead over Waterloo West, which is 15-9 in the division. Prairie has four games left in the MVC and Waterloo West has two.

Neila Bell belted a home run and had three RBIs for Prairie in the 7-4 victory. Gabi Carter was 2-for-3 and scored twice. Kristin Wahlert was 2-for-2 and also scored twice. Natalie Halvorson pitched a complete game with nine strikeouts and two earned runs.

Bell had Prairie's only hit in the 2-1 setback. She also was hit by a pitch and drove in Prairie's only run. Shelby Frederick was the hard-luck loser. She pitched a complete game and allowed only one earned run.

Prairie has a 23-10 overall record. Dubuque Senior is 15-20 overall and 11-13 in the conference.