MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Westminster softball traveled to Memphis to face Rhodes and Maryville (Tenn.) to open the 2017 season.
Westminster begins its season 0-2 after facing to top opponents. They dropped the first game 14-2 to Maryville and 12-5 to Rhodes right after.
"While the scores are lopsided, the games were played as expected given that this was our second time on the dirt, playing southern teams with much more previous work," said Westminster Head Coach Joe Henderson.
The Blue Jays opened the first game by taking a 1-0 lead. After a single by Amber Tepen, Erica Burney advanced her to second with a single of her own. An error by the Maryville shortstop scored Tepen for the first run of 2017.
The second run was scored on an RBI single from Callie Collier, scoring Emily Lucitt.
Alyson Hahn pitched the first game for Westminster, facing 28 batters and striking out one.
Offensively, the Blue Jays produced more in the second game against Rhodes. They scored twice in the top of the first to take an early lead. After a single and a stolen base from Tepen and a walk to Bailey Johnson, Josie Cotter singled through the left side to score both runners.
Rhodes took a 4-2 lead after one inning on four hits.
The Blue Jays evened the score at 4 after producing two more runs in the top of the second. Jordan Thomure singled, and a double from Collier scored the runner. A single from Johnson scored Collier.
Rhodes produced a big second inning, adding five more runs to give the advantage to them, 9-4 after two innings.
The Blue Jays added another unearned run in the third, but it wasn't enough to stop Rhodes.
Katie Price started the game and faced 35 batters, striking out four and allowing just one walk.
"We used several pre-made lineups to allow everyone to compete," said Henderson. "I was particularly impressed with the pitching of Katie Price and the great offensive and defensive performances by Callie Collier and Bailey Johnson as well as a strong performance by Josie Cotter and both of our new catchers, Aubrie Vaughn and Jordan Thomure."
Westminster competes tomorrow against Maryville at 10 a.m. and Rhodes at 2 p.m.
