SALEM - The Roanoke College softball team went 2-0 in the opening day of the 2014 Beach Blast (in the mountains) Tournament, held at the Moyer Complex in Salem, VA. Roanoke defeated Allegheny College 6-1 in the first game and Mary Washington 3-1 in the second. The Maroons have a 4-4 record after their two wins today.

The Beach Blast Tournament was set to be held in Virginia Beach, VA over the weekend, but due to freezing temperatures and field conditions, Roanoke invited nine teams to come play the tournament in Salem.

With two outs in the very first inning against Allegheny, the Maroons started an early rally. Stephanie Clark, who reached base on a single, scored after a wild pitch, giving the Maroons a 1-0 lead. With the bases loaded, Sarah Groft walked, receiving an RBI for her appearance, while Jenna Pendleton crossed the plate. Alexis Roop, as the next batter, hit a two RBI single to center field, plating Ellen Best and Emily Lawrence. After the first inning, the Maroons held a 4-0 lead over the Gators.

Neither team found the plate until the top of the fifth inning when Kelly Higbie hit an RBI double to right field, allowing Lawrence to score for the second time today. With two outs, Rhea Schleicher singled through the left side, plating Higbie, giving the Maroons a 6-0 advantage over the Gators. Allegheny put one run on the board on the bottom of the seventh, as Maureen Pallone singled to center allowing Halea Hayden to score, but that was the only run for the Gators. Roanoke picked up the first win of the day 6-1 over Allegheny.

Emily Lawrence, Kelly Higbie and Alexis Roop each finished with two hits on the night, while Roop led the team with two RBIs. Lawrence finished with two runs scored, leading the team in the process. Kelly Higbie picked up the win, throwing a complete game, giving up just one run off seven hits, while striking out two.

Halea Hayden led the Gators with two hits, while five others finished with one each. Maureen Pallone had the team's lone RBI on the day, while Hayden scored the only run. Abrianna Sadler was tabbed with the loss, as she gave up four runs off four hits, while striking out four.

In the second game of the day, Roanoke took a few innings to get warmed up. Rhea Schleicher singled to start the third inning, proceeding to immediately steal second base. Two batters later, Jenna Pendleton singled to the left side, plating Schleicher. Lawrence singled to right field in the next at bat, allowing Stephanie Clark to score. Kelly Higbie came up next singling to left field, scoring Pendleton. After the third inning, Roanoke led 3-0.

In the top of the sixth, Mary Washington scored its lone run, as Bireet Chitty scored off of a Brittany Scites infield single. This, however, would be the Eagles' only run in the game as Roanoke picked up the victory, 3-1.

Rhea Schleicher led the team with three hits, followed by Stephanie Clark and Kelly Higbie with two hits each. Jenna Pendleton, Emily Lawrence and Higbie each finished with one RBI in the game. Stephanie Clark picked up the win, pitching a complete game, giving up one run off three hits, striking out four. Her pitching kept the ball in the infield the entire game, except for one out in right field.

Bireet Chitty, Brittany Scites and Brianna D'Agata tallied one hit each for the Eagles, while Scites had the lone RBI. Aston Ferneyhough picked up the loss, giving up three runs in four innings off eight hits.

The Maroons return to action on Sunday, March 2^nd as they play Kean University and Catholic University in the Beach Blast (in the mountains) Tournament. First pitch against Kean is scheduled for 9:00 AM.