Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Kissimmee, FL - The Adelphi  University softball team opened the 2012 season in Florida, dropping their season opener to Minnesota State University – Mankato, 5-0, but the Panthers bounced back to take a 1-0 decision from Saginaw Valley State in a rain shortened six inning game.

Adelphi vs. MSU-Mankato

Adelphi and Mankato were scoreless through two innings as the Panthers stranded two runners and Minnesota left four on the bases. The Brown and Gold mustered a hit for the third straight inning in the top of the third, but was unable to score. Mankato took advantage in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs on three hits and one Adelphi error, taking a 30 lead.

The Panthers got things going in the fourth, getting a one out single from Amanda Krier and a two out single to right from Heather Salerno, giving Adelphi runners on first and second. Unfortunately, Katie Andrews was unable to plate either runner, fouling out to third base.

Andrews was stellar on the mound in the fourth, setting down Minnesota in order to keep Adelphi in the game. However, the Panthers could not take advantage in the fifth, failing to score, but Mankato slapped two more runs on the board to extend their lead to 5-0.

Adelphi managed to hold Minnesota scoreless in the sixth, but could not get on the board either, the Panthers collected just one hit over the last two innings.

Andrews was hung with the loss, throwing 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out three. Laurin Watts tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, striking out two and allowing just one hit. Salerno and Emily Dorko both swung the bat well, going 2-3, while Krier was 1-2 with a walk.

Adelphi vs. Saginaw Valley

The Panthers got off to a hot start in the first inning against Saginaw Valley as Devon Kelly set Cardinals down in order, striking out the side. In the bottom of the inning Emily Dorko legged out a single and was brought home by a Heather Salerno gap shot to right center, giving the Panthers an early, 1-0 lead.

Saginaw Valley threatened in the second, loading the bases courtesy of two Adelphi errors and a hit batter, but Kelly induced a pop out to get out of the jam and end the inning unscathed, which is how she would end the game. Kelly would give up just one hit over the next four innings, and secured the win when the rains came and forced an early end to the contest.

Kelly tossed six innings to earn the first win of her Adelphi career, striking out six and giving up just one hit and hitting one batter. Offensively, Jeanine Leo led the charge, going 2-2, while Salerno was 1-2 with a RBI and Dorko was 1-2 with a run scored.

Adelphi returns to action on Saturday, March 10 in Florida, with contests against St. Cloud State University at 11 am and California University of Pennsylvania at 1:00 pm.