Related Links:
Johnson & Wales Box Score
Alma Box Score

CLERMONT, Fla. – The Capital University softball team finished its season-opening spring break trip with a 6-2 record following a 1-1 day on Friday at the National Training Center Softball Complex.

The Crusaders defeated Johnson & Wales (R.I.) by a 5-4 score before falling against Alma (Mich.) later in the day by a 4-3 count.

Against Alma (6-2), Capital mustered just one hit through the first five innings of the contest before erupting for three hits in the sixth. Senior first baseman Lexi Majoy (Huron, Ohio) knocked in two with a double down the left field line to cut the Crusaders' deficit in half. Capital plated another on a throwing error by the Scots, but the rally was cut short and Capital settled for a split with the Scots in two games during the week.

Sophomore centerfielder Kelsey Swain (Pickerington, Ohio) finished 2-for-2 with a walk to lead the Crusaders. Sophomore starting pitcher Brooke Billings (Clyde, Ohio; above) took her first loss of the season, striking out three in three innings of work before being relieved by classmate Alyssa Patznick (Newark, Ohio) for the remainder of the affair.

In the first game of the day, Capital outhit Johnson & Wales (1-4) by an 11-6 margin, but needed to withstand a late rally to hang on for the win. The Wildcats tallied all four of their runs in the seventh inning, including three with two outs, and had runners on second and third for what proved to be the last at-bat of the contest.

Patznick posted a three-pitch strikeout to end the game and record her first save of the season in relief of Billings, who earned her fourth victory of the season after scattering six hits over 6 1/3 innings and striking out four.

The Crusaders started scoring in the top of the first when sophomore designated player Maura Rose (Williamsport, Pa.) knocked in Swain with a base hit to right. Capital extended its lead to three in the top of the fifth as senior shortstop Devan Boggs (West Jefferson, Ohio) tripled in senior right fielder Katie Neely (Sugar Grove, Ohio), who led off the frame with a single, and Swain knocked in Boggs with a sacrifice fly.

Capital added two insurance runs in the seventh on a run-scoring hit by Majoy and a sacrifice fly by Rose.

Boggs, Swain and Majoy each posted two hits to lead the Crusaders.

Capital resumes play on March 15-16 at the Salisbury (Md.) Tournament. The Crusaders take on SUNY Cortland (N.Y.) at 10 am and host Salisbury at noon on the 15th.