FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Lawrence University softball team got its season started on Sunday with a split of a pair of games.
The Vikings (1-1) defeated D’Youville College 17-9 in the nightcap after dropping the opener to Bowdoin College 9-3.
Lawrence trailed 8-2 against D’Youville (0-2) when the Vikings exploded for 11 runs in the fourth inning. Lawrence had seven hits in the inning, and senior centerfielder Toren Johnson and freshman Alex Goodson both had bases-loaded triples in the frame.
Catherine Marinac came on in relief of starter Meredith Foshag in the top of the fourth and went the rest of the way to earn the victory. Marinac allowed one run on two hits and struck out six while not walking a batter. The Spartans roughed up Foshag for eight runs on seven hits.
Johnson led the Vikings’ 11-hit attack by going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Justine Garbarski also went 3-for-4, and Jenna Reichel was 2-for-4. Carrie Van Groll belted her third career homer, and all three have come on this diamond.
Bowdoin (7-0) jumped on the Vikings with four runs in the top of the first inning to keep its record perfect on the season.
Lawrence trimmed the margin to 4-1 with a run in the bottom of the third, but the Polar Bears scored three more in the sixth and added a pair of runs in the seventh to ice the win.
Reichel and Johnson both had a pair of hits for Lawrence, and Johnson drove in all three runs. On the day, Johnson finished 5-for-8 with two triples and seven RBIs.
Marinac (1-1) went five innings and took the loss. She gave up seven hits, walked four and struck out two. Julia Jacobs went the distance, scattering six hits, to earn the win.
Bowdoin 9, Lawrence 3
Bowdoin 400 003 2 9 8 2
Lawrence 001 000 2 3 6 1
WP: Julia Jacobs (7 IP, 3 runs, 6 hits, 3 BB, 5 K). LP: Catherine Marinac (5 IP, 7 hits, 4 BB, 2 K).
Leading hitters. Jenna Reichel (L) 2-3, 2B; Toren Johnson (L) 2-4, 3B, 3 RBIs. Clare Roan (B) 2-5, 2B.
Lawrence 17, D’Youville 9
Lawrence 101 (11)03 1 17 11 2
D’Youville 512 002 0 9 8 4
WP: Catherine Marinac (4 IP, 1 run, 0 BB, 6 K). LP: Lindsey Arlotta (7 IP, 11 hits, 11 BB, 6 K).
Leading hitters: Jenna Reichel (L) 2-4, 2B 2 RBIs; Carrie Van Groll (L) 1-4, HR, 2 RBIs;
Toren Johnson (L) 3-4, 3B, 4 RBIs, Alex Goodson (L) 1-4, 3B, 3 RBIs, Justine Garbarski (L) 3-4, 2 RBIs, Abby Bolaw (B) 2-4, HR, 3B, 4 RBIs.