WILMINGTON, N.C. (March 8, 2015) – The Edinboro softball team scored 19 runs on opening day as the Fighting Scots won two of three games to begin the 2015 campaign. The Scots beat Elizabeth City State 9-0 to begin the day, lost to Fairmont State 5-4 in the second game, and defeated Mansfield 6-3 in the day's finale.

Catcher Theresa Fleckenstein started all three games and had a team-high four RBI. Abby Sotter and Taylor Payne each shined on the mound in their respective starts. The former struck out six in her start while the latter retired nine on strikes.

GAME ONE: Edinboro 9, Elizabeth City State 0

Edinboro got on the board early to launch the season. After shortstop Kylie Mason reached on an error by first baseman Rachel Gilliken, Scots first baseman Haley Struebing lined an inside the park home run down the left field line on a 1-1 pitch to give Edinboro an early 2-0 lead.

Sotter, making her third career start, got herself into minor trouble early in the second and third innings but responded each time. After allowing a leadoff single to catcher Jessica White who advanced to second on a groundout by pitcher Kelsey White, Sotter struck out the next two batters in just eight pitches. In the third inning, Kiyana Merritt doubled to left field to leadoff and then reached third on a fly out. Sotter once again struck out the subsequent batters, both looking. The sophomore pitcher then struck out Kayley Surrento to cap off the fourth inning with runners on first and second.

The Scots offense then rewarded the Sotter's efforts. Fleckenstein delivered an RBI double to drive in pinch-runner Melissa Roseman. Head coach Dan Gierlak then pinch-hit TL Wreh-Wilson for MaryLouise Lindner and Wreh-Wilson delivered an RBI single to bring around pinch-runner Alexandra Carroll. The Fighting Scots led 4-0 at the end of the fourth inning

Taking a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning after Taylor Payne drove in two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, Edinboro added three more runs before the game was called due to the mercy rule. Shelby Proctor, Lindner, and Mason all scored in the frame while Lindner and Laura Crooks each had RBI.

Sotter's first career victory came via six strikeouts and nine groundouts on her way to a shutout. The New Wilmington, Pa. native allowed five hits and one walk.

Kelsey White received the loss for the Lady Vikings. She pitched three innings and allowed four runs, three unearned. The Fighting Scots finished with eight hits, three coming against White.
 
GAME TWO: Fairmont State 5, Edinboro 4
Edinboro's rally was not enough in a tight affair with Fairmont State in the second game of the day. After falling behind 3-0 in the second inning, the Fighting Scots immediately tied the game in the top of the third inning.

Mason led off with a double down the middle of the field. After reaching third base on a single by Crooks, the junior shortstop touched home following a passed ball. Crooks moved to third base on the play. Brooke Callaghan then drove a ball deep down the right field line but Carly Mundie settled under the fly ball. However, Mundie dropped the ball allowing Crooks to score and Callaghan to advance to third base on the play. Callaghan scored on the next at-bat when Fleckenstein delivered a sacrifice fly to right field.

Edinboro took a lead for a short period. Jessica Hyland led off the fourth inning with a hard shot down the middle for a double. The sophomore left fielder scored on a passed ball to boost the Fighting Scots lead to 4-3.

Fairmont State tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two out single by Terri Lynn Wolfe to score Courtney Iacobacci.

The Falcons took the lead for good when Carly Mundie drove in pinch-runner Amber Curry to move ahead 5-4. The Fighting Scots final efforts were cut short in the top of the seventh inning by an untraditional 1-2-3 inning. Crooks reached on a single to lead off the inning and Struebing followed by lining out to center field. Crooks was then caught stealing before Callaghan lined out to first base.

Samantha Weaver earned the loss in 2.1 innings of relief after Kalet Lenart started the game. Lenart allowed three earned runs while Weaver gave up two runs.

Rachel Bias received the victory after coming in for relief for Bailey Shade and throwing the final four frames. Bias did not allow a single run and allowed four base runners (two hits, two walks).

 
GAME THREE: Edinboro 6, Mansfield 3
The Fighting Scots capped the day off with a sensational pitching effort from Payne. The sophomore pitcher faced little opposition and had three 1-2-3 innings in the game.

Tied 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Edinboro bats surged. With runners on second and third base and two outs, Fleckenstein tripled to center field to score both runners, one of which happened to be Payne. Crooks brought Fleckenstein home with a single to move the Scots ahead 4-1.

Edinboro carried that momentum into the fifth frame as Mason double to right field and Struebing tripled to left field to score Mason. The Fighting Scots then led 5-1.

Mansfield picked up two more runs on a Megan Miller inside the park home run to cut the deficit to 5-3 in the bottom of the sixth frame. The Scots extended the lead back to three runs again off the bat of Wreh-Wilson. The junior third baseman scored Hyland on a sacrifice to push ahead 6-3.

Mansfield put two on base with two outs after a fielding error by Mason. Payne forced a line drive to Mason to secure the 6-3 victory.

The win was Payne's second of her career. The Bellwood, Pa. native allowed three runs, one earned, four hits, and two walks while striking out nine batters.

Sierra Storm started for Mansfield and was credited with the loss. All four of her runs given up were earned.

Edinboro concludes the Shaw Softball Challenge tomorrow, March 9 with another trio of games. First the Fighting Scots take on Bowie State at 10:00 a.m. before playing PSAC West foe Clarion at noon and Barton College at 6:00 p.m.