Stonehill Softball Splits Doubleheader on Opening Day

Rayner threw her first complete game and earned her first-career win

Theilgard went 3-for-6 at the plate today, recording one RBI

KISSIMMEE, Florida (March 3, 2019) – The Stonehill College softball team split its first doubleheader of the season on opening day with a 1-0 win against Bloomfield College and a 9-1 loss against Mercy College in Kissimmee Florida on Sunday.

Game 1: Stonehill 1 – Bloomfield 0

The Skyhawks saw the first runner of the game in the bottom of the first inning, as both teams remained scoreless until the fifth inning. The Bears came close to scoring in the top of the second as they saw two of their three hits in the frame, but Katherine Rayner retired the side with one of her nine strikeouts.

Rayner got out of another jam in the top of the third, as Bloomfield threatened with the bases loaded, but Rivera was tagged out advancing home. The Skyhawks also loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Bears finished the frame with a ground out.

With a runner on third and two outs, Michelle Theilgard connected for a single to left center bringing home Maille Bennett for the first and only run of the game, 1-0. The Bears looked to fight back, but Stonehill's defense held them to one runner left on base in the top of the seventh inning to earn their first victory of the season and Rayner's first complete game and first-career win on the mound.

Game 2: Stonehill 1 – Mercy 9 (6 innings)

Perrone connected for her first-career double

Mercy went up 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning against the Mercy College Mavericks (3-2) on five hits. In the top of the fourth inning, Stonehill cut the deficit to one, 2-1, as Julia Perrone doubled, and Genna Hartman singled for Sophie Perez to drive Perrone in from third.

The Mavericks broke open the game in the bottom of the fifth inning with four runs off of five hits, including three doubles, one triple and a single, 6-1. They were able to add three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning mercy rule the Skyhawks as they were up by eight after five innings, 9-1.