Kissimmee, Fla. – March 11, 2012 – The Springfield College softball team opened up its season with a 6-1 win over Utica in a rain-shortened contest on Sunday morning. The Pride was also scheduled to play Illinois Wesleyan, but that game was cancelled due to persistent rain in the area.

In the victory, Ashley Marino was dominant in the circle, allowing just three hits while striking out four. Christina Leader finished the game with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, while Breann Joyce went 2-for-2 with two walks and a pair of RBI. Kasey Kelly also scored twice and had a stolen base and Chelsea Bender tacked on two RBI.

Springfield scored the first run of the contest in the first inning before the Pioneers answered back with a run in the second to tie things up. The Pride would go up for good in the third with another run before plating four in the fifth and adding another in the sixth.

The Pride will play two games on Monday afternoon as it takes on Centenary (N.J.) at 3:00 pm before battling Endicott at 5:00 pm.