Clermont, Fla. – The Arcadia University softball team wrapped up its spring break schedule in Clermont, Fla. Friday with a 7-6 win over SUNY Potsdam in the morning, before taking a 3-0 decision from Bethany in the day's second game. The Knights sit at 7-1 to start the season, marking the program's best start since opening the 2005 campaign 10-0. Seniors Sarah Gunia and Erin Wilson each picked up a win to move to 3-1 and 4-0, respectively.
 
Arcadia 7, Potsdam 6
 
The Bears struck first when Jordan Ott, who led the game off with a double to center, scored on a two out RBI single through the left side in the top of the first inning.
 
The Knights retaliated in bottom of the second. Sophomore Nicole Iasiello opened the frame with a single to left, before being awarded second on an illegal pitch. Two three batters later, sophomore Marissa Mancinelli reached on a throwing error by the third baseman and advanced to second on the play; Iasiello came around to score the Scarlet and Grey's first run. Senior Sara Boyadjis plated Mancinelli with a single to center in the next at-bat to give Arcadia a 2-1 lead.
 
Moving to the bottom of the fifth with the score still 2-1, the Knights' bats came alive again. Isaiello started with a double to left, before sophomore Tori Zaccaria drew a walk that forced Potsdam into a slew of defensive changes, including the pitcher. The next batter, junior Samantha Quigley, loaded the bases with a walk before a wild pitch moved her to second, Zaccaria to third and scored sophomore pinch runner Kaylee Zarick.
 
Now with runners on second and third with no outs, Mancinelli singled to second to bring home Zaccaria and advance Quigley to third; that brought up Boyadjis with no outs and runners on the corners. The senior singled to right, bringing in both runners. Two batters later, sophomore Amanda Hess hit a sac fly to center to bring home Boyadjis for the final run of the inning.
 
The Bears got one back in the top of the fifth on an RBI bunt, single with one out, before putting the pressure on in the top of the seventh. The first three batters singled for Potsdam with Sami Hubinsky bringing in Ott on a single to center. Lauren Brace knocked a two-RBI double to right to pull the score to 7-5 in favor of Arcadia with one out. With two outs, Lyndale Nephew hit into a fielder's choice, driving in the team's final run. Senior Erin Wilson struck out Ott swinging to end the game.
 
Gunia earned the win in the contest as she allowed a single run on two hits with two walks and three strikeouts in four innings of work. Boyadjis went 3 for 4 at the dish, with three RBI and a run scored, Iasiello was 3 for 3 with one run scored.
 
Arcadia 3, Bethany 0
 
The Knights final game of the trip was a pitchers' dual, remaining scoreless until the sixth inning.  Hess reached first after drawing a walk, before swiping second and advancing to third on a throwing error by the catcher. After senior Alicia McMahon walked, classmate Nicki Larro sent a two-out single up the middle to score Hess and move McMahon to third. Two batters later, Wilson drew a bases loaded walk to bring home McMahon.
 
A three-up, three-down bottom of the sixth brought about the seventh with a 2-0 score in favor of Arcadia.  Zarick and Boyadis each walked to start the inning before Gunia sent a double to right center to plate Zarick.
 
Wilson picked up the win by completing the shutout while allowing five hits and striking out four, with no walks. Sam Binkley took the loss for Bethany allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with seven walks and five punch outs.
 
The Knights return to action next Thursday, March 17, when they travel to Stevens Tech for a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m.