Story written and posted by Anthony Perry '08, Fisher College Assistant Athletic Director/Sports Information

NEWTON, MASS. – For the first time in 390 days, the Fisher College Softball team returned to the diamond this afternoon with a season-opening double-header at Lasell University. The Falcons dropped both contests 26-0 and 16-0 as they are now 0-2 on the young season while the Lasers remain perfect at 8-0.

Game One: Lasell University 26, Fisher College 0 (Final)

The difference between games played showed in the season opener as the Falcons were no-hit through the mercy-rule shortened five inning affair. Fisher did manage to load the bases in the first inning as leadoff hitter, sophomore Yanesza Rowe (Lowell, Mass.) reached on a throwing error. Junior Naomi Mares (Pueblo, Colo.) followed with a walk and sophomore Haley Tilberry (Moosic, Pa.) was hit by a pitch. That would be the closest they would get as Lasell freshman starter Eryn Sheeley (North Haven, Conn.) struck out the next three batters to retire the side.

Tilberry received the opening day nod inside the circle as she combined to throw 2.2 innings. After throwing the first two frames, she came in relief of sophomore Nathalia Tejeda (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) for the final two outs of the fourth inning. In total she allowed 20 runs (14 earned) on 15 hits while walking three and striking out three. Tejeda spun 1.1 innings, surrendering six runs (all earned) on one hit and walking eight.

The Lasers were powered by junior Brianna Gendreau (Warren, R.I.), who went 3-for-4 with five RBI and five runs scored. Freshman Katie Hopkins (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) added a 3-for-4, four RBI game one and classmate Grace Couto (Assonet, Mass.) went 2-for-2 with a RBI off the bench.

Sheeley and Couto combined for the no-hitter as they struck out eight over the five innings. Sheeley earned the win as she tossed two innings with six strikeouts before giving way to Couto's three innings of perfect softball, striking out two.

Game Two: Lasell University 16, Fisher College 0 (Final)

The Falcons fared better in the day's second game as they were able to break the hit-less streak, however they still fell to Lasell, 16-0.

Rowe's single in the third inning was the first of the season for Fisher and it started a flurry of hits. Mares recorded her first single setting up runners on first & second for Tilberry. Tilberry promptly lined a hard single to right field but a good relay play from the Lasers cut down the Rowe trying to score to end the inning. Linda Martinez then registered her first hit in a Falcon uniform in the fourth inning to account for all four Fisher hits in the finale. Rowe finished the contest going 1-for-1 with two walks and junior Misha O'Neal (Tampa, Fla.) made a couple stellar defensive plays in left field in her first game of her career. Tilberry fell to 0-2 in the circle as she allowed 16 runs (8 earned) on 16 hits over four innings of work.

Lasell freshman Courtney Dunham (Keene, N.H.) picked up her first win as she allowed just four hits over four innings of work and striking out eight. Senior Nicolette Genkos (Worcester, Mass.) struck out one and walked one in her only inning of work. Freshman Lexie Brunet went 2-for-4 with three RBI as the table setter in the win and sophomore Matara Tamzarian collected three RBI on her 2-for-4 night. Fellow sophomore Bella Richard (Burlington, Mass.) finished her ballgame going a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored.
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Fisher will return to action tomorrow afternoon as they travel to Quincy, Mass. for a 3pm date at Eastern Nazarene College. Lasell will also be on the road in their next scheduled contests as they travel to Johnson & Wales University (R.I.) for a confere