CLERMONT, Fla. – The Wheaton College (Mass.) softball team was defeated by Arcadia University, 7-1, this afternoon at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont, Fla. as part of the Spring Games.

The Lyons dip to 1-1 on the season, while the Knights improve to 1-0 in their season opener.

Arcadia rapped out 11 hits and scored three runs in the third inning and three more in the seventh for most of its damage. Wheaton was limited to four hits and left 12 runners on base.

Senior third base Lindsey Oliveira (Westport, Mass.) doubled and scored a run to lead the Lyons, while junior outfielder Juliette Zito (Woodbridge, Conn.) and senior designated player Jill Ceddia (Hopkinton, Mass.) each reached base twice with a single and a walk. Sophomore starting pitcher Peyton Blankenheim-Brown (Rio Linda, Calif.) was saddled with the loss in her first collegiate start, allowing four runs (one earned) on eight hits, while striking out five and issuing no walks in six innings of work. 

Junior second base Megan Klose (Harrisburg, Pa.) led the Knights, going 3-4 with a double and a home run to drive in five runs and scored twice. Sophomore first base Caity Hinton (Coatsville, Pa.) and sophomore third base Sydney Steiner (Glenside, Pa.) each singled home a run and senior center fielder Madi Costigan (Marriottsville, Md.) tripled, stole a base and scored a pair of runs. Senior Juliana Presto (Easton, Pa.) managed to work around six walks and only allowed four hits, while giving up an unearned run in addition to fanning 10 batters to earn the seven-inning complete game victory.

Arcadia took advantage of an error in the top of the third to score three runs and get on the board first. Costigan reached on an error before junior Nathalia Dilanni (Livingston, N.J.) roped a two-out single to center to set up Klose for a three-run homer over the left field fence to provide all the offense that the Knights would need for the game. 

Wheaton also took advantage of defensive miscues to get on the board as well with a run in the fifth to cut the deficit to 3-1. Oliveira stroked a leadoff double to center field and took third base when the center fielder couldn't handle the play. Oliveira scampered home on a wild pitch to crack the scoring column and make it a two-run game. 

Arcadia got the run back in the top half of the sixth when Presto served a single to center to open the frame and later came around to score from second on a single to right field off the bat of Steiner to give the Knights a 4-1 margin.

Arcadia effectively put the game away with three more runs in the top of the seventh to give it a six-run cushion at 7-1. Costigan ripped a triple to left field, before senior Allie LaRochelle (Somerset, N.J.) was hit by a pitch and stole second to put both runners in scoring position. Klose answered the bell again with a two-run double to right field to increase the Knights' lead to 6-1. Hinton plated Klose with the game's final run with a two-out single to right field.

The Lyons threatened to score in both the third and fourth innings with runners in scoring position with two outs. Junior center fielder Grace DiBacco (Selkirk, N.Y.) and Ceddia both drew walks during the third inning that saw Wheaton load the bases, but Presto was able to escape with a pop up to first base to end the frame. Junior Jillian Rohon (Southington, Conn.) drew a walk and Zito singled, followed by a wild pitch to put both runners on second and third with two outs, but Presto was able to get out of the jam with a strikeout.

The Lyons return to action on Sunday, March 10 when they take on Plymouth State University at 4:00 p.m. at Fortune Road Athletic Complex, while Arcadia plays Gordon later this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. at Legends Way Ballfields.