Clermont, Fla. - The Cabrini University softball team defeated the University of Dubuque to begin their 2024 season before falling in their second matchup with the Spartans by a run. In their first game, the Cavaliers delivered 4 runs early and held the 4-4 score to force an extra inning. In the 8th, Cabrini brought home 4 runs for the 8-4 victory. In their second meeting against Dubuque, the Cavaliers faced a 4-0 hole early and later an 8-1 deficit in the 6th inning, but they'd collect 13 hits as their comeback came up just short, 7-8.

Game 1
In the top of the first, Ariana Mirenda's leadoff single plus a stolen base put her on second. Mirenda advanced to third base on a passed ball before Avery Byrnes' grounder to short scored her for the game's opening run.

Dubuque managed 2 walks and 2 hits in the bottom of the 2nd, where a series of balls to the backstop allowed three runners to score. 

The Spartan's lead was short lived as the Cavaliers added three of their own in the top of the 3rd. Ariana Mirenda was the first runner on, as she tripled to left. Madison Gugel layed down a bunt to score Mirenda and beat out the throw to first. Avery Byrnes followed with a single through the left side, before Kelsey Huling's infield hit brought Gugel home and tied the game 3-3. Cabrini would then take a one run lead off Emma Barbera's single up the middle.

Avery Byrnes pitched a clean 3rd, 4th, and 5th frame, allowing just one baserunner in each of the middle innings while fanning 3 Spartans. Dubuque would even the score in the bottom of the 6th, as a walk and a single put two runners on. An overthrow on the hit let the lead runner take third, allowing her to score on a sacrifice fly. In the bottom of the 7th, Byrnes retired the Spartans in order to push the game to extras.

In the top of the 8th, with Sam Taddei on 3rd base and Ariana Mirenda on 2nd, Madison Gugel delivered a go-ahead 2-run double to feed a 6-4 score. The Cavaliers then loaded the bases, as Byrnes had a single to left and Kaitlyn Delaney was hit by a pitch. Kelsey Huling provided a sac fly to center, scoring Gugel, before Emma Barbera's chopper to the pitcher scored Byrnes for the Cavs' eighth run.

Avery Byrnes pitched a scoreless closing frame, giving Cabrini the 8-4 win. She'd collect 7 strikeouts and earn the winning decision with 3 earned runs across 8 innings of work.

Game 2
Dubuque jumped ahead early, posting 2 runs in each of the first 2 innings. 

Cabrini put their first run on the board in the 3rd inning. With one out, the Cavaliers loaded the bases behind walks by Madison Gugel and Kaitlyn Delaney and a single from Kelsey Huling. Emma Barbera drove home Gugel with a single to right, bringing the score to 4-1. The Cavs proceeded to put the ball in play, but Dubuque got the force out at the plate for the second out and caught a popup to escape the inning.

Dorian Ilyes pitched a stellar 3rd, 4th, and 5th inning, retiring nine of ten batters faced. It wasn't until the top of the 6th that she'd run into trouble. The Spartans extended their lead with 4 runs in the frame, sporting an 8-1 score.

Cabrini chipped away at the deficit, adding two runs in the bottom of the 6th. Sam Kilson singled to start the inning, followed by Brooke Protesto reaching base, and Avery Byrnes' pinch hitting for a single. With the bases loaded, Madison Gugel hit a pitch to the left side, beating the throw after it came off the third baseman's glove. Kelsey Huling walked in a run, cutting the lead to 8-3. Dubuque held Cabrini there, as a pair of outfield flyouts ended the inning.

The Cavaliers loaded the bases again in the 7th, as Dorian Ilyes led off with a single, Sam Kilson singled, and Sam Taddei drew a walk. Ariana Mirenda and Madison Gugel each singled to left and drove in a run, feeding an 8-5 score. Kelsey Huling then singled up the middle, driving 2 runs across the plate. Dubuque spoiled Cabrini's comeback bid, however, as they'd force a groundout and a flyout to escape with an 8-7 Spartan win.

Due Up
The Cavaliers have another pair of games at the Legends Way Ballfields on Thursday morning, as they'll take on Ohio Christian University at 9am followed by Point Park at 11:15am.