Softball Downed in Spring Debut Against Colorado Christian, Lynn

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Eckerd College softball program officially started the new spring season at the EC Spring Invitational with a pair of tough losses against Colorado Christian University, 8-3, and Lynn University, 4-1, on a chilly Friday afternoon.

Temperatures dipped below 60 degrees and a light rain consistently descended on the Eddie C. Moore Complex for most of the cloudy afternoon.

The Tritons (0-2, 0-0 SSC) were playing their first games of the season after a doubleheader at Southeastern University scheduled for Feb. 1 was postponed due to weather.

The Cougars of CCU (3-3 overall) manufactured a pair of clutch two-out, two-run hits to eventually break open a 2-2 tie. Colorado Christian opened the tournament with a win against Nova Southeastern University right before taking the field against the Tritons in an 11 a.m. game.

Eckerd plated a run in their first series of at-bats as senior Chelsea Jeffares singled and scored on a fielder's choice by sophomore All-Sunshine State Conference outfielder Kaycie Duncan.

But CCU's Sarah Rasmussen delivered a two-run single with two outs in the top of the third to take a 2-1 lead. EC executed a delayed steal to perfection as junior Brittany Mitchell stole home with a feet-first slide to tie the game at 2-2.

Dana Rex's two-run double with two outs pushed the Cougars out in front and set the scene for a four-run seventh inning.

Junior opening day starter Erin Dixson had a promising day going at the plate and in the pitcher's circle as she provided a glimpse of her two-way impact this year.  The junior transfer was a combined 3-for-5 at the dish with an RBI and despite suffering the loss in the opener, impressed with her ability to induce ground outs.

Dixson had Colorado Christian hitters pounding the ball in the dirt as she retired 13 batters on grounders versus two on fly outs. She struck out three and was tagged for five earned runs in six innings of work with a pair of walks.

Dixson singled in sophomore Stephanie Wolfrom in the bottom of the seventh with EC down to its final out against CCU.

Junior Carolyn Griffin pitched the final inning against the Cougars, a scoreless seventh inning in a relief role.

Another newcomer, Amber Hay, impressed after playing third base the game prior and started with 3 1/3 no-hit frames against the Fighting Knights (3-2, 0-0 SSC) before Lynn snapped a 1-1 tie in the middle innings.

Sophomore Kara Oberer and Mitchell doubled against Katelyn Key, but the Lynn hurler scattered eight hits in seven strong innings to stymie the EC offense.

Mitchell advanced all the way to third with no outs to begin the bottom of the fourth inning (doubled), ultimately representing the go-ahead run, but was unable to come home.

Cherise McEnery led off the sixth inning for Lynn with a solo shot and the Tritons would leave a combined four runners on base in the final two innings against Key as their rally attempt fell short.

Eckerd will return to tournament action tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. against Palm Beach Atlantic University and prepare for a 1:30 p.m. matchup against Lindenwood (Mo.) University on field 7.

Friday, Feb. 7
11:30 a.m. - Nova Southeastern vs. Colorado Christian (Field 5)
CCU def. Nova Southeastern, 7-4
2 p.m. - Colorado Christian vs. Eckerd (Field 5)
CCU def. Eckerd, 8-3
4:30 p.m. - Lindenwood vs. No. 13 Tampa (Field 1)
No. 13 Tampa def. Lindenwood, 1-0
4:30 p.m. - Florida Southern vs. Shorter (Field 2)
Shorter def. Florida Southern, 7-4
4:30 p.m. - Lee vs. Saint Leo (Field 3)
Saint Leo def. Lee, 14-0 (5 innings)
4:30 p.m. - Rollins vs. Flagler (Field 4)
Flagler def. Rollins, 9-8
4:30 p.m. - Lynn vs. Eckerd (Field 5)
Lynn def. Eckerd, 4-1
4:30 p.m. - Nova Southeastern vs. West Florida (Field 6)
Nova Southeastern def. West Florida, 2-1
4:30 p.m. - No. 5 Armstrong Atlantic State vs. No. 24 Barry (Field 7)
No. 5 Armstrong Atlantic State def. No. 24 Barry, 14-7 (8 innings)
7 p.m. - No. 13 Tampa vs. Lee (Field 1)
No. 13 Tampa def. Lee, 6-2
7 p.m. - Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Florida Southern (Field 2)
Palm Beach Atlantic def. Florida Southern, 3-2
7 p.m. - Saint Leo vs. Shorter (Field 3)
Saint Leo def. Shorter, 9-5
7 p.m. - No. 6 Valdosta State vs. Rollins (Field 4)
No. 6 Valdosta State def. Rollins, 7-2
7 p.m. - Lynn vs. Lindenwood (Field 5)
Lindenwood def. Lynn, 7-6 (9 innings)
7 p.m. - West Florida vs. Flagler (Field 6)
West Florida def. Flagler, 7-4
7 p.m. - No. 5 Armstrong Atlantic State vs. Florida Tech (Field 7)
Florida Tech def. No. 5 Armstrong Atlantic State, 3-2