Softball | 2/27/2010 12:58:02 PM

Click here for stats vs. Alverno

Click here for stats vs. Ferrum

ORLANDO, FL - The RIT softball team (1-1) opened its 2010 season by falling to Alverno College, 5-3 and defeating Ferrum College, 4-3 on Saturday at the Rebel Spring Games.  RIT Head Coach Rebecca Stryker earned her first collegiate coaching win for RIT.

Freshman Emily Courtney (Berlin, CT/Kingswood-Oxford) hit a two-run, walk-off home run for the Tigers in the win over Ferrum.  She was 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI.  Emily McPherson (Pompey, NY/Pompey), Jen Hayden (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee)#, and Michelle Tabisz (Silver Spring, MD/Paint Branch) each had two hits.

Junior pitcher Carlissa Cole (Alden, NY/Alden) earned the win on the mound, throwing a complete-game, with four strikeouts.

In game one against Alverno, RIT jumped right out a 2-0 first inning lead.  Shannon McCormick (Auburn, NY/Auburn) led off with a bunt single, and moved to second on a sacrifice by Jen Hayden (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee).  With two outs. Tori Nadow (Charlton, MA/Shepherd Hill) slammed her first career hit and RBI, tripling in McCormick.  Nadow then scored on a wild pitch.

Alverno responded with a run in the bottom of the fourth and four in the fifth to go up 5-2. 

In the seventh inning, RIT mounted a small rally, as McCormick recorded her second bunt single of the game and stole second.  After a walk by Tabisz, RIT had the tying run at the plate.  McCormick scored on an error, and RIT had runners on second and third with one out, but could not get the two runs across.

Brittany Kemp (Dansville, NY/Wayland-Cohocton) took the loss on the mound, allowing seven hits and striking out five in the complete game effort.  McCormick and Nadow each had two hits. 

On Sunday, RIT plays Walsh at 1 p.m. and York (Pa.) at 3 p.m.