SCRANTON, PA – The Cabrini softball team saw its season-opening win streak come to an end today, as the Cavaliers split a doubleheader at Marywood University.  The Blue and White scored a 3-1 win in the opener before dropping the nightcap 5-2, falling to 9-1 overall.

Game 1: Cabrini 3, Marywood 1
Just days after scoring 29 runs in a pair of wins over Gwynedd Mercy, the Cavaliers turned to their pitching and defense in today's opening game win.

Freshman pitcher Avery Byrnes was on her game today, as the rookie kept the Pacers' hitter off balance.

Byrnes tossed a complete game, scattering five hits while striking out 14 batters. The 14 punchouts marked the most by a Cabrini pitcher since Jess Giordano struck out 13 in a victory over Rosemont on April 14, 2018.       

While Byrnes took care of the Marywood bats, the Cavaliers struggled to find their offense. Cabrini had just two hits through five innings, but its third hit of the day changed the game.

Freshman Madison Gugel stepped to the plate to open the sixth and smashed her first career home run over the right field fence for a 1-0 lead.

The Cavaliers added to their lead in the top of the seventh, as a Byrnes single scored classmate Emma Barbera. Two batters later, Gugel's groundout plated sophomore Kadirah Williams for a 3-0 cushion.

The Pacers opened the bottom of the seventh with a single and walk but managed just one run after a Cabrini error.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Martin matched Byrnes with two hits, while Gugel drove in a pair of runs.

Game 2: Marywood 5, Cabrini 2
Cabrini carried its momentum from the opening into the first inning of the nightcap. Junior Angel Cintron opened the game with a single before scoring on a Gugel triple. The freshman then scored on a sacrifice fly by junior Amber Seamen.

The Cavaliers threatened to expand their lead in the second, as junior Casey Scheuren and sophomore Emily Wargo opened the inning with back to back singles, but both were stranded on base.

Marywood grabbed its first lead of the day in the third inning, plating three runs on three base hits. The Pacers added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, which proved to be more than the Cavaliers could overcome.

Seven Cavaliers accounted for the team's eight hits in the loss, with Cintron the only player to record two. Sophomore pitcher Grace Stairiker suffered the loss after surrendering four earned runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings.

The Cavaliers and Pacers (3-1, 1-1 Atlantic East) have little time to reflect on Friday's action, as the clubs will meet again on Saturday at Cabrini Field. First pitch is slated for 12 noon.