Clermont, Fla. —
The Marywood University softball team opened its 2026 season with a split at Legends Way on Monday, defeating Suffolk University 4-2 before falling in a close 10-9 contest to Juniata College.
Game One: Marywood 4, Suffolk 2
The Pacers capitalized on Suffolk errors and timely hitting while receiving a strong combined pitching effort from
Brianna Voyer,
Megan Linkhorst, and
Emily Dubisz to secure the win.
Marywood struck first in the bottom of the second inning. After
Marissa Hoffman walked and later moved to third, she stole home during a double steal with
Marley Sarafinko to give the Pacers a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, Lauren Notari doubled down the left field line to bring home Sarafinko.
The Pacers added to their lead in the fourth.
Renee McDonald reached base and advanced before scoring on a fielding error following a pinch-hit single by
Marina Antal.
Marywood tacked on another run in the fifth inning when
Tori Para doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly from
Amber Little.
Suffolk mounted a threat in the sixth inning, loading the bases with two outs. Lily Newhall drew a bases-loaded walk to score one run, and Giavanna Bellino followed with an infield single to cut the deficit to two. Dubisz entered in relief and helped Marywood escape the inning before closing the game with a scoreless seventh to earn the save.
Linkhorst earned the win after tossing 2 1/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs on four hits. Voyer started the game and threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out one.
At the plate, Para led the Pacers with two hits and a run scored. Notari recorded a double and an RBI, while Antal added a key pinch-hit single.
Game Two: Marywood 9, Juniata 10
Juniata struck first, putting two runs on the board in the opening inning as Natalie Short delivered a two‑RBI single.
The Pacers erupted for five runs in the second inning. Notari jump‑started the rally with an RBI double, and a series of well‑timed hits including an RBI from
Jessie Kmak and a clutch single from
Kat Davis kept the inning rolling. A bases‑loaded hit‑by‑pitch and a wild pitch that brought home an additional run put Marywood ahead 5–2.
Juniata answered with five runs of their own thanks to a combination of timely singles and well‑executed situational hitting.
In the third inning,
Riley Marshall recorded an RBI and Para cleared the bases with a three-run double to give Marywood a 9-7 lead.
The Eagles scored three runs in the fifth inning on two sacrifice flies and a single, seizing the lead and ultimately the win.
Davis and McDonald tallied three hits each, while Notari added two.
Para went 1 for 3 with four RBIs.
What's Next
Marywood (1-1) continues its spring break action tomorrow. It faces Curry College and Regis College at 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., respectively.
