KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Arcadia softball starts the season off splitting its first day of competition. The Knights started the day with a 2-0 victory over Washington (Md.), before falling to No. 23 Kean in extra innings, 5-4.
 
FOR THE RECORD:

• The Knights sit at 1-1 on the year after day one of their spring break trip.
• Kean is a perfect 4-0, while Washington dips to 4-6.

COACH SAYS:

• "I'm really proud of the girls today as we took the field for our first games this season," said head softball coach Sarah Colletti. "We have a lot to prove this year and these spring training games are exciting for us to get out on the dirt and have some fun. I'm really proud of our pitching staff and our defense today. Going into extra innings with #23 Kean is a very big step for our program and we are very excited to see where the rest of the week takes us!"

Arcadia 2, Washington 0
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Arcadia plated both of its run in the bottom of the first inning. Junior Jackie Bilotti singled to right, then advancing to second on a wild pitch. Sophomore Hunter Schantz ripped a single to center field, advancing Bilotti to third. Senior Kaylee Zarick came in to run for Schantz, which would pay off, seeing Bilotti and Zarick score on a fielding error by the second basemen.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Sophomore pitcher Mary Pat Murray controlled the game from the circle, pitching seven innings, striking out five batters, while only giving up three hits and one walk.
• Bilotti led the hitting efforts, picking up two of the Knights six hits on the day, while scoring a run.

Kean 5, Arcadia 4 – F/8
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Knights hit the scoreboard first, plating one in the top of the second inning. Senior Amanda Hess led off the frame with a single up the middle, before sophomore Bekah Good doubled down the left field line to score Hess from first.
• After the Cougars scored one in the third and two in the fourth, Arcadia responded in the top of the fifth to tie the game at three as junior Kristin Cancelliere doubled down the left field line to led off the inning. The next batter, sophomore Ashley Eckett, singled to left field advancing Cancelliere to third. Eckett then stole second before freshman Alex DeStefano reached on a bunt single. With the bases loaded, Bilotti singled through the right side, scoring Cancelliere and Eckett while DeStefano advanced to third.
• After sending the game to extras, the Scarlet and Grey scored one in the bottom of the eighth to take a 4-3 lead. Freshman Alexa Vardiman started the inning out on second with the international tie breaker rule, before Good reached on an error by the pitcher. The error allowed Vardiman to advance to third. Vardiman would later score on a throwing error by the shortstop. The nationally ranked Cougars rallied in the bottom half to take the game, 5-4.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Schantz (2), Cancelliere (2), and Eckett (2) all registered multi-hit performances against the Cougars.
• Bilotti picked up two RBIs, while Good drove in one.

UP NEXT:

• Arcadia will take on Springfield and Webster tomorrow with start times at 1:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.