North Myrtle Beach, S.C. - The softball team opened the 2023 season with a split of a doubleheader against the Penmen of Southern New Hampshire University at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex. 

Game One: SNHU 3, Molloy 1

• After four scoreless innings, Southern New Hampshire loaded the bases with two walks and a single. A third walk of the inning scored the first run of the contest.
• A wild pitch in the fifth inning doubled the lead for SNHU before scoring on a single in the bottom of the sixth.
• Molloy threatened to knot the score in the top of the seventh. Sophomore Natalie Moussa singled up the middle before pinch running senior Akemi Poyer stole second. 
• Senior Steph Conrade had a single to the third baseman Abby Lineman, who overthrew first base and allowed Poyer to score before a strikeout from Leine McKechnie ended the contest.
• Senior Amanda King tossed a complete game, matching a career-high eight strikeouts. 
• Senior Karsyn Eaton went two-for-three with Conrade, Moussa, and junior Katie Hand each recorded hits for the Lions.

Game Two: Molloy 4, SNHU 2

• The Penmen struck in the top of the first inning on a walk, single, and fielder's choice that set the table for an RBI single from Bella Dickinson.
• Molloy responded in the bottom half of the inning with a leadoff single from Conrade. Junior Chrissie Huhn reached base after being hit with the pitch before Eaton drove in a run with a single up the middle to knot the score. 
• Graduate student Alex Burns reached on an infield single before a fielder's choice from freshman Mae Savage put Molloy in front, 2-1.
• With runners on second and third, freshman Emily McCurk had a sacrifice fly to right field that increased the Lions' lead to 3-1. Poyer scored on a passed ball the next pitch.
• SNHU would plate one in the top of the fifth on a fielder's choice before a hitless sixth and seventh sealed the win for junior Brianna Macias, who fanned three total runners.
• Conrade led the team with two hits. Hand, Eaton, and Burns also recorded hits for Molloy.

Up Next
The Lions return to action tomorrow (Feb. 18) against Saint Anselm College with a doubleheader beginning at 10:00 a.m. from the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex.