MADEIRA BEACH, Florida – The Marist softball team dropped a pair of games to open the season on Friday at the Madeira Beach Invitational. The Red Foxes lost 10-5 to Villanova, and then were defeated by Arkansas 15-3 in six innings.
 
Game One – Villanova 10, Marist 5
 
Summary
 

• Villanova led 3-0 through one-and-a-half, but the Red Foxes got on the board when freshman Caroline Baratta's RBI double brought home senior Brittany Colombo.
• Villanova's Lauren Hanna hit a three-run homer in the fourth to give the Wildcats a 6-1 lead.
• The Wildcats added one run in the fifth, one in the sixth, and two in the seventh.
• For Marist, junior Brandi Coon doubled to lead off the fourth. She scored on a two-out RBI single by sophomore Jade Sinskul.
• Baratta drove in runs with an RBI single in the sixth, and an RBI double in the seventh.

 
Key Stats
 

• Baratta went 4-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs in her first collegiate game.
• Sophomore Ali Milam finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
• Junior Megan Beiermeister got the start in the circle for the Red Foxes, and took the loss.
• Villanova outhit Marist, 13-10. Five Wildcats had two hits apiece.
• Anissa Amarillas went the first five innings for the Wildcats for the victory

 
Game Two – Arkansas 15, Marist 3
 
Summary

• Arkansas took an early lead after Autumn Buczek earned a leadoff walk, and scored on an RBI double by Hannah McEwen. The Razorbacks tacked on another run in the first inning when McEwen scored on a fielder' choice.
• With two outs in the top of the third, Cooper drew a walk. After she stole second, she scored on an RBI double by Kayla Green, giving Arkansas a 3-0 lead.
• Arkansas extended its lead again in the top of the fourth. After loading the bases with just one out, McEwen belted grand slam, giving the Razorbacks a 7-0 lead.
• The Razorbacks rallied again in the sixth, taking a 15-0 lead. After loading the bases with one out, Loren Krzysko and Cooper earned back-to-back RBI walks, followed by a two RBI double from Green. Linnie Malkin drove in another with an RBI single, Ashley Diaz plated a run with a sacrifice fly, Malkin on a wild pitch, and Sydney Parr drove in the final run on an infield single.
• The Red Foxes got hot in the bottom of the sixth. After back-to-back singles from sophomore Jade Sinskul and senior Gabrielle Kelliher, and a wild pitch, sophomore Ali Milam drove in Marist's first run with an RBI groundout. Freshman Lauren Beal would then pinch hit, and drive in another run with an RBI single. Sfter back-to-back walks, the Red Foxes' final run came from Beal scoring on a passed ball.

Key Stats

• McEwin was 2-3 on the day, with a walk, a double, a homer, three runs scored, and five RBIs
• Green was also 2-3, with two doubles, two runs scored, and three RBIs
• Haff allowed just four base runners through five innings, striking out nine of the 19 batters she faced
• Junior Kallen Lesseberg battled through 5.1 innings, striking out four batters
• Red-shirt sophomore Claire Oberdorf went 1-for-2 with a stolen base and a run scored for Marist.
• Beal picked up her first career hit, RBI, and run scored in the sixth inning.

Up Next
Marist continues play in the Madeira Beach Invitational on Saturday, when the Red Foxes take on Rhode Island. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.