Myrtle Beach, S.C. – Graduate student center fielder Kelsey Johnson (Greece, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy/UBuffalo/Syracuse) had four hits and scored four runs to lead the Le Moyne College softball team to a pair of wins on the first day of the season at the Ned Donkle Complex. The Dolphins blanked Mercyhurst University, 9-0, in five innings and then defeated Wilmington University, 10-3.

The Dolphins scored the only runs they would need against Mercyhurst in the bottom of the first inning. Johnson drew a walk and sophomore catcher Ally Nicolosi (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) was hit by a pitch to open the inning. After a groundout, junior right fielder Lauren Zazzaro (Southington, Conn./Southington) and junior left fielder Madison DeRita (Higganum, Conn./Mercy) recorded back-to-back singles to left to drive in Johnson and Nicolosi. Senior third baseman/designated player Tess Andrews (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) lifted a sacrifice fly to center to plate Zazzaro. Following a walk and a single to load the bases, sophomore second baseman Jillian McManus (Kingston, N.Y./Kingston) singled to first base to knock in DeRita.

Le Moyne took a 5-0 lead in the second on a two-out solo home run down the left field line.

The Dolphins extended their lead to six in the fourth inning with a run on two hits. Johnson led off with her first hit as a Dolphin, moved to third on a single to left field by sophomore pitcher/third baseman Peyton Bellrose (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) and then scored on a sac fly by Zazzaro.

Le Moyne used a pair of home runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game. Andrews led off with a homer to left field. After a double to left by sophomore first baseman Taylor Artley (York Haven, Pa./Red Lane), freshman shortstop Alyssa Jauregui (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Scioto) blasted a homer over the fence in left to conclude the game.

Bellrose earned the win in the circle after striking out four over five innings, while giving up just one hit and two walks. Jauregui finished the contest with three hits, while Zazzaro posted two hits. Sarah Eschleman took the loss for the Lakers after giving up four runs on four hits in one inning.

Against Wilmington, the Wildcats struck first with a run in the second inning. Catcher Mirabella Klebart walked and came around to score as right fielder Keara McCarthy reached on an error by the pitcher on a sacrifice bunt attempt.

The Dolphins took the lead with five runs on three hits and a Wilmington error in the fifth inning. McManus drew a walk to start the frame and moved to third on an error by the catcher as Johnson reached on a single. Following a walk by Nicolosi to load the bases, Bellrose singled to center to drive in McManus. Johnson then scored on a wild pitch for a 2-1 lead. After a pair of outs and a walk by Andrews to load the bases, sophomore pinch-hitter Mia Pollino (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua) was hit by a pitch to force in Nicolosi. Jauregui then doubled down the left field line to knock in Bellrose and Andrews.

Wilmington got two runs back in the bottom of the fifth. Left fielder Rose'Lynn Burton doubled down the left field line to start the inning. After an out, third baseman Lauren Lopez homered to left field.

Le Moyne tacked on five more runs in the top of the sixth. Johnson reached second on an error by the pitcher to start the frame. After Nicolosi was hit by a pitch, Bellrose reached on an error by the pitcher, which allowed Johnson to score. Zazzaro then doubled to center to plate Nicolosi and freshman pinch-runner Kaily LaForce (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton). Following an out, Andrews drilled another home run down the left field line.

Senior Alexis Eastman (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) collected the victory in the circle after striking out 10 batters over six innings, while yielding three runs (two earned) on five hits. Johnson tallied three of the team's nine hits. Makayla McCarthy took the loss for the Wildcats after giving up seven runs (four earned) over six and one-third innings.

Le Moyne (2-0) returns to action on Saturday against Lock Haven University at 12:00 p.m. and East Stroudsburg at 2:00 p.m.