The Susquehanna University Softball team struggled at the plate falling in both games of a doubleheader at Virginia Wesleyan to open the 2017 season. The River Hawks fell 8-0 in five innings in the opener and then dropped a 4-1 decision in game two Sunday afternoon in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Virginia Wesleyan (2-0) broke open a close game in the opener with a five-run inning in the bottom of the third to take a 6-0 lead. The Marlins added single runs in the fourth and fifth to pull ahead by eight runs for the run-rule victory.

Kasey Bost and Jackie Gore had the only two hits for Susquehanna (0-2) in game one.
In game two, the River Hawks struck early scoring a run in the top of the first inning.

Brooke Kohler opened the game with a lead off walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Heather Pearson. Kohler took third on a wild pitch and scored when Emilie Bohman grounded out.

The lead did not last long as Virginia Wesleyan answered with a pair of runs with a two-run home run in the bottom half of the inning.

The score remained 2-1 in a tight pitching battle until the fifth inning. The Marlins added two more runs with a bases loaded single to take a 4-1 lead.

The Susquehanna batters did not manage a hit in the second game. Alexa Gonzalez scattered six hits, allowed four run with five walks and four strike outs.

The River Hawks return to action March 12 against Arcadia in the first of 10 games in Florida as part of their Spring Training trip.