FORT MYERS, Fla. - Monday was a better day for La Roche softball at the Gene Cusic Classic, ending the afternoon with a split of its two games against Elms and Wisconsin-Superior.
Game One: La Roche 15 Elms 4
For the first time, it was the Redhawks falling behind first, as the Blazers came through with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first to take the early lead.
The lead didn't last long, as La Roche took advantage of a number of Elms miscues in the top of the second, plating eight runs, building the lead to 8-2.
The scoring began when Iyarah Hicks scored on a Blazer error, followed by an RBI, bases loaded walk from Gabby Sabraccia to tie the game 2-2.
Maura Wade gave the lead to the Redhawks, picking up an RBI on a hit by pitch as the bases remained loaded, then a wild pitch scored Brooke Murgenovich to move the edge to 4-2.
The remaining four runs of the inning all scored on errors by Elms.
La Roche moved the lead to 9-2 in the top of the third and 11-2 with two runs in the top of the fourth, as yet another three Blazer errors brought home all of the runs that crossed.
Elms would add single tallies in the fourth and fifth innings, closing its scoring for the day to make it an 11-4 score.
The Redhawks then added four more runs to finish their scoring in the top of the seventh, behind a Garrah Milochik two RBI single, a Finley Hohn RBI single and Makenzie Formeck rounded out the scoring, crossing home on a wild pitch.
Wade got the start in the circle and went the distance, allowing four runs (three earned), seven hits, two walks and struck out nine.
Offensively, Murgenovich, Bizay and Ashley Huffman lead the way, picking up two hits each.
Game Two: Wisconsin-Superior 18 La Roche 4 F/5
Unfortunately, game two went the opposite way for La Roche, falling behind quickly and not being able to slow down the Jackets.
UWS scored in every inning and started the game, scoring 15 unaswered runs, including two in the first, eight in the second, two in the third and five in the fourth.
The most noise from the Redhwks came in the bottom of the fourth, scoring all four runs they had in the game.
Cassidee Fitterer opened the scoring for La Roche with a two RBI double, followed by a Rachel Malatok RBI ground out. Klover Haberthier ended the scoring with an RBI double of her own.
The Jackets closed the scoring in the top of the fifth with four more runs to ensure the shortened game had a greater chance.
Haberthier got the start and took the loss, allowing eight runs, seven hits and two walks in 1.2 innings.
Hohn closed out the day with 3.1 innings of relief, allowing 10 runs (five earned), 13 hits and struck out one.
Offensively, Wade led the team with a 2-for-2 outing with a drawn walk.
La Roche returns to action Wednesday, Mar. 12 with another doubleheader. Game one is set for 9 a.m. against Saint Joseph's (CT), followed by an 11 a.m. matchup against Westfield State,