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CLERMONT, Fla. – The Capital University softball team posted two victories by a combined three runs Monday to start its 2013 campaign off with a 2-0 record on the first day of the team's spring break trip at the National Training Center softball complex.

After making a game-saving defensive play on a hard ground ball hit to the left side, senior shortstop Devan Boggs (West Jefferson, Ohio) delivered a game-winning single in the bottom of the eighth inning to help the Crusaders defeat Alma (0-2) by a 1-0 score.

After the game was extended into extra innings, a Bulldog runner was placed on second by international rules to start the top of the eighth. With two outs and that runner on third base, Boggs slid to her right, fielded a low, tough grounder and calmly fired a bullet to first base for the out to end the frame.

Moments later, after sophomore Brooke Billings (Clyde, Ohio) was placed on second, Boggs smashed a line drive to right field for a base hit. Billings slid into home plate just before the tag was applied, sending the Capital dugout into a frenzy.

Billings and sophomore Alyssa Patznick (Newark, Ohio) combined to pitch a six-hit shutout. Patznick, who picked up the victory, came on in relief in the top of the fourth and got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam to keep the contest scoreless. The Bulldogs, who reached the fourth round of the NCAA Division III Regionals in 2012, left 13 runners on base in the affair.

Boggs finished with two hits and a walk to lead the Crusaders.

Against Augustana (2-1), the Crusaders scored four times in the bottom of the fourth to give Patznick all the run support she needed. Sophomore catcher Maura Rose (Williamsport, Pa.) started the rally with a run-scoring double to right center field. Freshman left fielder Lacey Romero (Mechanicsburg, Ohio) supplied the other RBI hit.

After taking advantage of a Viking error to start the inning, Capital scored on another Augustana miscue and capped the frame with a first-and-third double steal.

The Vikings cut their deficit in half in the bottom of the inning, but Patznick stranded a runner in scoring position and retired six of the last seven hitters she faced for the complete-game win. She surrendered four hits and two walks while striking out six.

Three other Crusaders – sophomore LeAnna Cotton (Okeechobee, Fla.), freshman designated player Brooklyn Staten (Grove City, Ohio) and senior right fielder Katie Neely (Sugar Grove, Ohio) – registered a tally in the hit column.

Capital continues play in Florida tomorrow against Immaculata (Pa.) and Rose-Hulman (Ind.). The first game is scheduled for 9 a.m., while first pitch of the second is slated for 11 a.m.