Monroe, N.C.- The softball team started off the 2025 campaign with a doubleheader split against the Bulldogs of Wingate University this afternoon. The Lions start the season 1-1, while the Bulldogs improve to 3-7.

Game One: Molloy 6, Wingate 1
How it Happened

• Junior Emily McGurk led off the game with a single through the right side before redshirt freshman Alexis Montgomery tallied her first collegiate hit with a bunt single to put runners on first and second.
• Senior Natalie Moussa doubled to left field to give the Lions the early lead.
• Senior Cheralyn Dusharme singled to the shortstop to score Montgomery before Moussa came home on a defensive error from the Bulldogs to make it 3-1.
• Wingate threatened in the second inning, loading the bases with just one out. Sophomore Stevie Dabbadie picked up a key strikeout before a ground out to McGurk avoided any damage.
• Sophomore Amaya Page opened the fourth inning with a single to left before advancing to second on a passed ball
• Freshman pinch hitter Gwen Woodsit delivered a single through the right side, plating Page to extend the Lions' lead to four.
• Moussa extended the lead to 6-0 with a home run down the left field line.
• Wingate broke through in the bottom of the seventh as Stephanie Perry led off with a double to left center, and Laney McLaurin reached on a fielding error to put runners on first and second.
• Two batters later, a single plated the home team's first run of the contest.
• Sophomore Stevie Dabbadie struck out the final two batters to secure the Lions first win of the season.

Top Performances

• Moussa led the offense with three RBI on a double and two-run home run.
• Dusharme and Page each also added two hits with Dusharme driving in one run.
• Woodsit and Montgomery both collected hits in their first collegiate at bats with Montgomery adding a stolen base and Woodsit recording a RBI.
• McGurk reached base twice with a hit and a walk.
• In the circle, Dabbadie tossed a complete game, striking out five while allowing just one unearned run on seven hits in the victory.

 
Game Two: Wingate 12, Molloy 4 (5 Innings)
How it Happened

• McGurk led off the first inning with a walk before a ground out from Montgomery moved her into scoring position.
• Moussa drove her in with a double to left center to put Molloy ahead, 1-0.
• The Bulldogs responded with an RBI double and two-run home run in the home half of the inning, taking a 3-1 lead.
• A strong second inning saw the Bulldogs add on five runs on four hits, widening the lead to 8-1.
• Defensive errors allowed the home team to tack on four more runs in the third inning to set the score at 12-1.
• In the fifth, sophomore Mariah Cepeda and freshman pinch hitter Madeline Millman each drew a walk.
• Singles from Page and Montgomery put two runs on the board for the Lions.
• Moussa drove in her fifth run of the afternoon with a sacrifice fly for the final run before the contest was ended via the run rule after five innings.

Top Performances

• Moussa recorded two hits and drove in two runs.
• Montgomery and Page each contributed a hit and an RBI.
• Moussa pitched two innings, recording one strikeout. Page made her first collegiate appearance in relief, allowing just one earned run.

Up Next
The Lions will wrap up the season-opening trip in Wingate, N.C. tomorrow (Feb. 16) with games against Wingate at 11:00 a.m. and Shippensburg at 1:00 p.m.