CLERMONT, FL - The Cabrini softball team opened its 2018 campaign with a convincing victory and a late rally on Sunday in Clermont, FL. The Blue and White knocked out 13 hits in a 13-0 win over Northern Vermont-Johnson, then scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to earn a 5-4 win over Hanover.

Game 1: Cabrini 13, Northern Vermont-Johnson 0
Cabrini was hot early, as the club plated five runs on five hits in the top of the first inning, including an RBI double by freshman Grace Stairiker. 

The Blue and White added two runs in the second frame before sending 10 batters to the plate in the third, adding five runs to its lead. The Cavaliers drew five walks in the inning, while sophomore Amber Seamen and freshman Emily Wargo doubled. 

Eight Cavaliers posted at least one hit, led by Wargo, who went 3-4 with four RBI in her collegiate debut. Stamen, Stairiker and fellow freshman Faith Pitsikoulis tallied two hits, while the trio combined for five runs batted in and seven runs scored.

Stairiker also went the distance in the pitcher's circle, as the rookie posted nine strikeouts and allowed just one hit in five innings.

Game 2: Cabrini 4, Hanover 4
The Cavaliers could not carry their hot bats into the day's second game, as Hanover held the Blue and White to just three hits over the game's first six innings.

One of those hits, a third inning Pitsikoulis, plated senior Darian Caputo, who reached on a pair of infield errors.

Meanwhile, the Panthers scored two in the second, one in the third and one inf the fourth to carry a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh.

With two outs in the bottom of the final frame, the Cavaliers' offense woke up.

Sophomore Jess Redding and Caputo singled before sophomore Aysiah Cintron walked to load the bases. Pitsikoulis drew another walk to score Redding. Caputo crossed the plate on a wild pitch, as Seamen earned a base on balls to load the bases again.

The carousel continued, as junior Alexandra Schell drew the fourth walk of the inning, scoring Cintron. Stairiker reached on an infield error, driving Pitsikoulis to the plate, giving the Blua and White the walk-off victory.

Pitsikoulis accounted or two of the Cavaliers' seven hits in the win, while sophomore Casey Schueren and Stairiker commanded the pitcher's circle. Schueren allowed three earned runs on four hits through four innings, while Stairiker allowed one hit over the game's final three innings.

The Cavaliers will return to action on Tuesday, when they face Alma College (0-2) at 11:45am and Augustana College (1-1) at 4:15pm in Clermont, FL.