By: Sean Neidig, sports information graduate assistant

CLERMONT, Fla. – Capital University Softball took the field for the first time in 2019 on Monday afternoon. Capital started the day's doubleheader with a loss to Augustana College (Ill.) and then fell to Alma College (Mich.). Capital began the day with a 7-1 defeat to the Vikings and then fell 16-3 to Alma in five innings.

GAME 1 – Capital 1, Augustana 7

Capital started the season on a positive note as first baseman Alyx Slusher led off the game with a walk and the advanced to third on back-to-back wild pitches. Capital was unable to bring her home though and in the bottom of the inning, Augustana made the Crusaders pay by scoring a pair of runs.

The Vikings then added another run in the second to increase the lead to three runs. Capital scored its first run of the season in the third after Slusher again walked to put a runner on. Mycala Duhart then reached on an error by the Augustana pitcher and Slusher advanced to second. After an out, Kristen Mellot singled Slusher home.

The Vikings responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame though and then added another run in the sixth.

Slusher finished the game 1-for-2 with a run and two walks. Duhart finished 2-for-4 and Mellot went 1-for-3.

GAME 2 – Capital 3, Alma 16 (5)

After Alma scored a run in each the first and second innings, Capital responded by taking the lead with a three-run third.

Slusher, Duhart and Cory Mangen started the inning with back-to-back-to-back singles and then Mellot was hit by a pitch to bring in the first run. The next two batters were retired before Erica Ogden singled home Mangen and Duhart.

The Scots then found an offensive groove in the fourth though with 14 runs.

Ogden finished the game 1-for-2 with two RBIs, Slusher was 1-for-2 and Mangen and Duhart each had a hit and scored a run.

The Crusaders will have two more chances to pick up a win on Tuesday starting with Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology at 12 p.m. Capital will then play Neumann University at 2:15 p.m.

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