The softball team opened the season in Norfolk, Virginia in the 2012 Spartan Classic and won three of its four games.
The Hawks (3-1) defeated Norfolk State 10-4 in the season opener. Kayla Weiser went two for three from the plate, knocking in four runs. Kate Kuzma and Shannon Fitzgerald also knocked in two runs each.
The Spartans led 3-0 halfway through the fourth inning. The Blue and White exploded in the bottom of the inning for eight runs. Alicia Desanto started the inning off with a walk and stole second base. Weiser singled to knock in the Hawks’ first run. Kuzma came up next and singled. Vanessa Cardoza stepped up next with a single to knock in Weiser. Fitzgerald kept the flood gates open when she stepped up next, batting in Cardoza and Kuzma with a single. Two batters later, Chelsea Paprocki got a base hit up the middle, and Fitzgerald scored. Jenna Jaquish and Christine Scherr reached base to load them up with only one out. Two batters later, Weiser doubled to clear the bases and give the Hawks an 8-3 lead.
Alissa Schoelkopf pitched four innings, allowing two hits and three runs while striking out eight. Jordan Barnett threw three innings, allowing one run on four hits. Barnett struck out four.
In the second game of the double-header, MU defeated Delaware 6-3.
Scherr was two for two from the plate, knocking in four runs and walking twice. Katie Schumaker and Paprocki each had an RBI as well.
Lauren Sulick pitched four innings, striking out three, allowing four hits and two runs. Barnett threw another three innings, giving up one run and five hits.
Monmouth fell in its third contest, being outscored 8-4 by Army.
Scherr, Weiser, Cardoza and Colleen Kelly all knocked in a run for the Hawks. Weiser and Cardoza both notched two hits.
Schoelkopf pitched 3.2 innings for the Blue and White. She allowed four runs, but only one earned. Barnett took the loss, allowing four runs, two earned, in 3.1 innings of work.
The Blue and White closed out the weekend with a 14-6 win over Delaware.
Schumaker and Cardoza led the Hawks with seven hits and seven RBIs.
MU out-hit the Blue Hens 22-10. Scherr and Weiser also combined for seven hits.
With a 3-1 record in Virginia, the Hawks were the unofficial champions of the tournament.
The softball team continues its season this week in the 2012 Aggie Invitational in College Station, Texas. The Hawks face Texas A&M, Liberty and North Dakota State.
PHOTO COURTESY of MU Photography
