Kissimmee, Fla. — March 15, 2009 – — Michelle Wlosek went 4-for-6, and Samantha Rhodes pitched a complete game victory in game #1 as the Springfield College softball team opened its 2009 season with a split today at the Rebel Games in Florida. In that first game, the Pride defeated Carthage of Wisconsin, 3-1. In the second game, Springfield lost to Ramapo of New Jersey, 6-1.
In that first game, Carthage scored its lone run in the top of the first, but Rhodes held on the rest of the way. A senior lefthander from Mendon, Mass., Rhodes allowed just four hits overall, while striking out nine and walking none.
Meanwhile, the Pride struck right back in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by senior Aimee Cassella (Southington, Conn.). Then Springfield struck for two more in the bottom of the third. Senior DP Danielle Spiro (South Windsor, Conn.) led the inning reaching second on an error by the shortstop. Wlosek then doubled, knocking in one run. Cassella followed with a double, although Wlosek was only able to advance to third base. The second run of the inning was then plated by junior shortstop Jaimie Moran (Manchester, Conn.) on a sacrifice fly to left.
Wlosek and Cassella each went 2-for-3 in this game.
In the second game, Ramapo scored two runs in the bottom of the second, and four more in the bottom of the third inning. Springfield managed just one run in the top of the sixth. Sophomore pitcher Katie Anderson (Andover, Mass.) was the early victim for the Pride. Anderson pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing six runs, all earned. She gave up four hits, but also walked two and hit a batter. Rhodes then came on and pitched scoreless ball the rest of the way.
In the sixth, SC scored its run when senior 3B Shanda Kogut (Preston, Conn.) led with a bunt single. She then scored on consecutive singles by Spiro and Wlosek.
Wlosek went 2-for-3 in this game, just as she had done in the first. But SC managed only four hits total in this contest, whereas it had seven hits in the opener.
Springfield will play Endicott in a 9 am contest Monday. It will then play Nichols at 1 pm that afternoon.
