With just 10 players on the roster, the Haskell Indian Nations University softball had little room for error — or injuries — but plenty of room on the dugout bench.

Because sophomore Cheryl Begay is on the disabled list, HINU is down to nine players, and on two occasions this year, Haskell has fielded just eight — both resulting in close losses.

“If I can avoid a collision, I avoid it,” Haskell coach Gary Tanner said of base-running strategies, “but, really, if you’re scared, you should turn your gear in. None of ours have, and that’s the good part. We’re not afraid. The girls aren’t afraid. They get banged up, and they come back. They play when they’re a little tired and sore, but that’s just what athletes do.”

Despite having no substitutes for Saturday’s doubleheader against York, Haskell managed to improve its Midland Collegiate Athletic Conference record to 3-1 by splitting with the Panthers. Haskell lost the opener, 2-1, but won the nightcap, 8-2.

“We have to play iron-women softball. We’re trying not to get injured, but it’s not that easy,” HINU senior Katie Renwick said.

Renwick’s stalwart performance Saturday both on the mound and at the plate proved vital in the outcome of both games.

After pitching a complete game with seven strikeouts and no earned runs — the Panthers scored both runs on HINU errors — in Game One, Renwick pitched again in the third inning of the second contest and continued to fluster York (15-23, 3-3) with her riseball. She picked up two more strikeouts and the win.

“It’s hard for me to do two games, but I do it when I have to,” said Renwick, who said a nagging ankle injury was giving her considerable discomfort late in the second game. “I was fired up and ready to go. I knew I had to go in there and do something.”

Although HINU (5-12, 3-1) trailed, 2-0, going into the sixth inning, the Fightin’ Indians staged a two-out rally highlighted by Renwick’s triple to center.

Haskell Indian Nations University's Katie Renwick delivers a pitch against York. Renwick pitched in both games of a doubleheader split Saturday at HINU.

The Panthers received a yeoman pitching effort as well. Carrie Bartley posted nine strikeouts.

“They know the difference between losing and getting beat,” said Tanner, who noted that in the first game his team lost after allowing two runs because of careless errors.

In the nightcap, Haskell jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first.

The teams traded single runs in the third before Haskell ripped the game open in the fourth inning with five runs off four hits.

Using mostly textbook bunting, the Fightin’ Indians exemplified small ball, leading to an 8-1 advantage heading into the fifth inning.

6Sports video: Haskell softball making strides

“That’s how it should have been in the first game, and we knew that,” Redwick said.

Haskell will travel Monday to Wichita to play Newman.