DOVER, DE – The Cabrini softball team could not overcome a six run first inning, as the Cavaliers suffered an 8-2 loss to Wesley in the opening game of the 2021 Atlantic East Conference Championship Series.

After today's loss, the tournament's number two seed  Blue and White (17-7) will need to defeat the top seeded Wolverines (23-5) twice tomorrow to win its first conference championship since 2004.

The Cavaliers fell behind in the bottom of the first inning , as three of Wesley's first four batters reached base before scoring on a bases clearing triple. Four batters later, the home team added to its lead with a two out, two RBI single, building a 6-0 lead after the first inning.

The Cavaliers had just one base runner before the fifth inning, when they took advantage of some Wesley miscues. Junior Casey Scheuren and freshman Kelsey Huling drew one out walks before advancing on a wild pitch. A second wild pitch of the inning allowed Scheuren to score, putting Cabrini on the board.

Cabrini added another run in the top of the sixth, as junior Angel Cintron led off with a double before scoring on an infield single by sophomore Emily Wargo.

The Cavaliers mustered just four base hits in the loss, with Wargo earning the club's only RBI. Freshman Avery Byrnes suffered the loss in the pitcher's circle after allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits despite nine strikeouts.

Freshman Rachel Martinez went 2-4 with three RBI and two runs scored to lead the Wolverines, while junior Gabriella Monzo and Setting adding two hits each. The Cavaliers could not figure out Wesley's starting pitcher, senior Dori Loukopoulos, who improved to 13-2 after holding Cabrini hitless through five innings of work.

The Cavaliers will look to stay alive tomorrow morning, as Game 2 of the series is set to begin at 10am. With a win, Cabrini would force a winner take all third game, which would start at 12pm.