Salisbury, MD … The College of New Jersey softball team won its 2016 season opener, defeating Clarkson University, 9-3 in eight innings on Saturday in Salisbury, MD.
 
The Lions (1-0) erupted for six runs in the top of the eighth inning to break a 3-3 tie. A three-run home run by Jess McGuire (Stockton, NJ/Hunterdon Central) highlighted the inning, while Sam Platt (Cedar Grove, NJ/Mount Saint Dominic Academy) also laced a two-run double.
 
The game was all about defense in the first few innings with no runners crossing home plate until the top of the fourth. TCNJ took the 1-0 lead when Madison Levine (Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills) doubled to center field to drive in Cathy Drury (Flanders, NJ/Mr. Olive).
 
The Lions extended their lead to 3-0 in the sixth when Levine doubled again to drive in two more runs. Clarkson, however, rallied in the sixth, plating three runs to tie it up. The score remained deadlocked through seven innings to force extra innings.
 
TCNJ secured the win with an explosive eighth inning, stroking four hits, including the homer by McGuire.
 
Katie Hourihan (Neptune, NJ/Neptune) started on the mound for the Lions. She allowed four hits, two runs and three walks throughout just over five innings and struck out two batters.
 
Sam Platt (Cedar Grove, NJ/Mount Saint Dominic Academy) replaced Hourihan partway through the sixth inning to close out the game. She allowed three hits, one run, one walk, and had one strikeout to earn the mound decision.
 
In all, eight TCNJ players combined to get a total of 10 hits throughout the contest. Steph Vuono (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern) and Levine each had two hits.

The Lions have a quick turnaround, with two games scheduled for Sunday. They will meet Clarkson again at 10 a.m., and then go up against Salisbury University at 2 p.m.