MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - La Roche softball went 2-0 to open up the 2020 season with wins over Cazenovia College and Dean College Monday afternoon on Day One of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic. The Redhawks took the first game against the Wildcats, 7-3. LRU scored three runs in both the 4th and 6th innings to pull away. Sophomore Kelly Denk and Junior Devan Smith both hit 2-run doubles in the win. Sophomore Lexi Strasser played hero and crushed a 2-run walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th to propel her team to victory over Dean in game two.
On the Mound
(vs. Cazenovia) - The Wildcats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but Junior RHP Alexa Young (Altoona, PA/Altoona) quickly got on track and delivered a solid performance to earn the W. Young pitched all seven innings and recorded seven strikeouts while giving up just five hits (one XBH), two walks and one earned run. Alexa has won in both of her last starts dating back to last season.
(vs. Dean) - Freshman RHP Carlie Dillon (Davidsville, PA/Conemaugh Twp) was impressive in her collegiate deput start. Dillon pitched 4.2 innings, struck out nine batters, walked six and gave up three earned runs. Dillon allowed just three hits. Young returned to close out the second game which needed extra innings. She got the win (4.1 IP, 4 K, 0 BB, 3 ER).
At the Plate
(vs. Cazenovia) - An impressive five Redhawks posted multiple hits in the contest (Kelly Denk: 2-3, Devan Smith: 2-4, Lexi Strasser: 3-4, Sydnee DeShong: 2-4, Meghan Haynes: 2-4). LRU out-hit their opponents 12-5.
(vs. Dean) - Strasser went 3-5 at the plate and drove in the games winning runs. PH Brandi Clyde went 1-1, hit an RBI single in the 9th, and scored the winning run on a throwing error in the bottom of the inning after Strasser's hit. Devan Smith led the Redhawks with 2 RBI and went 2-5. All eight runs were scored by a different Redhawk.
NEXT UP: LRU softball will another double-header tomorrow vs. St. Joseph (Conn.) at 1:30 p.m. and Keystone at 3:30 p.m. Both games can be viewed here.