Softball Opens 2020 Campaign By Splitting Two One-Run Games

Winter Haven, Fla.-The University of Bridgeport softball team opened its 2020 schedule in Florida on Thursday, and the Purple Knights split two, one-run games defeating Clarion University, 5-4, to open the year, and falling versus Saginaw Valley State, 3-2.

Against Clarion, UB trailed 4-3 heading to the bottom of the fifth, before freshman Taylor Yates (Elk Grove, Calif.) made her collegiate debut a memorable one by smashing a two-run home run to center that proved to be the game-winning blow.  Earlier in the game, Yates had an RBI-single, as she went 2-for-3 with three runs batted in and two runs scored against the Golden Eagles.

Bridgeport junior Elyssa Marmolejo (Rialto, Calif.) also had two hits in the 2020 season opener, including a two-RBI double in the bottom of the first.

In the pitching circle, junior Miranda Hillman (Placentia, Calif.) earned the win firing a complete game in which she struck out seven and walked only one.  Laura Sadowski took the loss for Clarion.

In Thursday's second game, Saginaw Valley led 3-0 after three innings, and the Purple Knights just could not get a key hit with runners in scoring position even though they outhit the Cardinals, 9-5, in the game, plus drew four bases on balls, as UB stranded 12 runners on base.

Elyssa Marmolejo picked up two more hits and a run batted in for Bridgeport, and senior Allison Luzzi (East Haven, Conn.) also had two hits and an RBI.

Junior Sarah Silver (Vernon, Conn.) added two base hits to give the Purple Knights' three batters with a multi-hit outing in Thursday's second game.

Freshman Kaite Burawski (Hartley, Del.) pitched well but took the loss in her first UB appearance, as she pitched a complete game, allowing five hits, three runs (all earned), with 10 strikeouts and three walks.

Up next, the UB softball team will face Georgian Court and St. Anselm on Friday in the Sunshine State.