Franciscan 2, SUNY Poly 13 - 5 Innings
 
Franciscan Lineup
Ariana Arnone 2B, Elizabeth Maxwell LF, Kimberly McDaniels P, Carissa Cedillo 3B, Alexis McKnight 1B, Laila Rackley CF, Emma Clow SS, Daelyn Staehling C, Kelly McGovern RF

SUNY Poly Lineup
Hoehn LF, Faragon 2B, Birmingha CF, Hamm 1B, Hunter C, DeSena 3B, Powell RF, Ellixson SS, & Critelli P

How It Happened
    A couple days ago the Barons jumped into vans and made their way south to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are spending the week playing at the large North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex with 6 fields. Their first game of the week and opening game for the season started with a rain out. The game was scheduled to be delayed for 2.5 hours. The new start time was scheduled for 11:30am, but the field wasn't cleaned up and ready for play until after 1pm.
    For the first inning of the season, Elizabeth Maxwell took her first at bat as a Baron. She correctly watched two balls go by, swung and missed on the third ball, then ripped one down the third base line into left field for a double. Defending Player of the Year Kimberly McDaniels was up next. She ripped her first pitch right at the pitcher's shin and passed the second basemen. Carissa Cedillo gave the Barons their third hit on the inning and sent Cedillo home. In the bottom of the first, the Barons gave up a 3-run homer. McDaniels honed in and pitched her way out of it getting a strikeout to close the inning, but not before the Barons were in a 4-1 hole.
    In the top of the third, McDaniels was back up to bat and hit a line-drive to center left field bringing her to 2 for 2 on the day with a single and a double. Cedillo put her bat on the ball and Maxwell was sent home. In a close call she was call out at home. Cedillo reached first on the fielder's choice. Alexis McKnight was walked, and with only 1 out the Barons had the bases loaded. Freshmen Laila Rackley bunted toward the pitcher and McDaniels raced home to get another score on the board. Rackley made it to first on the fielder's choice and the Barons kept the bases loaded. Ilena Gonzales subbed in for Alexis McKnight standing on second base to pinch run. The next two hitters struck out then grounded out to end the inning with three left standing on base. The Barons were now trailing 6-2.
    In the bottom of the 4th the Barons were in more trouble. They found themselves down 9-2 and struggling to field hits and throw runners out. Coach took McDaniels out of the circle and into the infield. Arnone took the circle for the second time in her career to try and close out the inning. 
    The nightmare 4th inning put the Barons in a tough spot. They were unable to get a hit in the top of the 5th which enacted the run rule, and the game was called after 4.5 innings. 

At the Plate
-McDaniels finished the game 2 for 2 with a double
-Elizabeth Maxwell was 1 for 2 with a double, a walk, and a run
-Laila Rackley was 1 for 2 with an RBI
-Emma Clow got her first career hit going 1 for 2 at bat

In the Circle
-Starter Kimberly McDaniels pitched 3 innings. She saw 21 AB's and tallied 2 strikeouts. 
 

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Franciscan 0, Utica 10 - 5 Innings
 
Franciscan Lineup
Ariana Arnone 3B, Elizabeth Maxwell C, Kimberly McDaniels SS, Alexis McKnight DP, Laila Rackley CF, Emma Clow LF, Kelly McGovern 2B, Viktoria McQueeney RF, Madison Doan 1B, & Carissa Cedillo P

Utica Lineup
Joss SS, Murray DP, Zulager RF, Sacks C, Paul 2B, Doiron 1B, Kraft LF, Barbato 3B, Finch CF, & Gargiulo P
 
How It Happened
Due to the large weather delays across the complex earlier in the day, the women had to play their game on a field off camera, and the game was unavailable for Baron fans. 
    Kimberly McDaniels is off to a hot start after an incredible freshmen year. She went 2 for 2 for the game, but was the Barons only spot of offense. Her 2 hits were the only hits for this game. For the second time today the game was called after 5 innings. The Barons are one day into a week with a large learning curve. Many young freshmen took the field this afternoon and today was an initiation into college softball. Look to see some big jumps forward as this week and season progress.

At the Plate
-McDaniels going 2 for 2 at the plate brings her day total to 4 for 4 with two doubles

In the Circle
-Starter Cedillo pitched all 5 innings. She saw 29 at bats, allowed 15 hits, 10 ER, and 1 SO.

Up Next
Franciscan will get right back after it tomorrow with a pair of games. First, they take on Keene State for the fifth time in school history. Last season the Barons fell to them by a score of 5-1. In the afternoon, they will take on Worcester State, who they also played last season in Myrtle Beach. In that matchup, the Barons came out on top by a score of 5-2. Rachel Cooper had a pair of RBIs, and Lilly Wahl pitched a complete game gem with just one earned run to her name. 

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