The Lancer softball team opened the 2023 season with a 3-1 record over their first four games of the season, sweeping the York Lions Saturday before splitting their games on Sunday at Queen's.
 
SATURDAY
The Blue & Gold came out on Saturday afternoon with something to prove under new leadership as they faced off against the York Lions at the Brampton Fairgrounds. The final scores of the double header were 7-1 and 9-5 with the Lancers ending on top of both games. 
 
GAME 1
Lancers came out swinging in the top of the 1st, with McKay Colombe driving in two runs with a triple. After a quick shut down of the Lion's bats, Soleen DePape, Elise Stammler, and Emma Hanley re-ignited the bats, driving in three runs in the top of the second. The Lancer's final run arrives at the top of the 6th with Rylie Straus who hit a long line drive to the fence to knock in Megan Lozinski. Defence was solid throughout the entire game, recording no errors for the Lancers. Veteran pitcher, Megan Lozinski led the Lancers to their first win of the season, throwing 99 pitches in seven innings with 8 strikeouts.  
 
GAME 2
As the York Lions came out looking for redemption, the Lancers knew they were in for more of a battle. Soleen DePape sparked the Lancer's offence, going 3 for 3 at the plate. York was quick to respond, keeping it a close game until the Lancers opened it up in the 4th with Cylee Hickey and Rylie Straus driving in two runs each. The hitting party continued into the 5th with a 2-out rally consisting of hits from Rylie Straus, Jacqueline Pento, and Soleen DePape. From the mound, Morgan Maxey earned the win for the Lancers with a strong close from Aubrey Johnson to secure the win. 

 
SUNDAY
After a great start to the season on Saturday, the Blue & Gold came out of the gates firing and ready to face the Queen's Gaels, returning OUS champions from 2022. The Lancers split the games, winning 7-4 and losing 7-1. 
 
GAME 1 
The game began as a very closely matched battle and was evident right off the bat that this would be a tight game. The Lancers broke through a tough Gaels defense in the top of the 3^rd with walks drawn by Emma Hanley and Cylee Hickey and singles by Rylie Straus, Lauren Hickey, and Jacqueline Pento to cash in 4 runs. A triple by Aubrey Johnson and a single from Emma Hanley brought the Lancer lead to 5. Not a team to back down easily, the Gaels responded with 4 runs of their own over the next couple of innings to make it a very tight game. Solid defense and timely hitting gave the Lancers some insurance runs and they held the lead to end the game. Aubrey Johnson earned the win on the mound, only giving up 4 hits and 2 runs through 4 innings of work. Megan Lozinski earned the save to round out the team win. 
 
GAME 2 
The Lancers came out in the second game of the double header scoring first with a single from Rylie Straus and a double from McKay Colombe to cash the run. The Gaels responded a few innings later with some hits of their own to open up the game. Although the Blue & Gold were making good contact at bat, a solid infield from the opponents didn't let another run score for the remainder of the game. 
 
UP NEXT
The Lancers head back up the 401 next weekend to play six games in the Waterloo area. Check out goLancers.ca for the full schedule.