Clearwater, Fla. – Lynn University's softball team concluded play at the Eckerd Triton Spring Invitational on Sunday with a 5-1 setback against Eckerd before cruising to a 9-2 victory over Chadron State. With the split Lynn improves to 2-3 overall.

For the day, Sara Vazquez paced the offense with three hits and a .750 batting average. Taylor Steczo, Cherise McEnery and Manya Lopez all logged extra base hits in the doubleheader.

In the circle, Missy Montgomery anchored the pitchers with eight innings pitched and seven strikeouts. Francais Olexa also earned a start and Katelyn Key made an appearance in relief.

After three hitless frames the Fighting Knights got its first runner on base when Jasmine Campos single to shortstop. Eckerd's bat also came alive in the fourth as the Tritons got its first hit while also scoring the opening two runs of the contest. In their following at bat, the host added another pair of runs to their lead.

In the sinal inning Lynn put together one last rally. Kaci Vassallo and Leanne Wright both got on base with walks, advancing on a fielding error by the shortstop that brought McEnery on first. Amanda Casillas brought Lynn's lone run home on a fielder's choice.

Olexa was tagged with the loss, throwing 3.1 innings allowing one hit with two runs. Key came in for 1.2 innings and Montgomery pitched the final frame. All three aces had two strikeouts.

Lynn quickly shook off the opening loss, scoring a pair of runs in the opening frame. After Olexa and Wright both drew walks, McEnery blasted a shot to right center field for two runs.

Chadron State cut the deficit in half in the third inning, when a single through the left side brought in their first run.

The offense found its mojo for Lynn in the fourth, scoring five runs. Vazquez started the attack by reaching base on a fielding error. After advancing from a Lopez single, Christina Carvatta bunted her teammate in for a run. The following batter, Campos, hit the ball through the right side to bring in two more runs. Later in the frame, Vassallo blasted the ball in the same location as Campos to score her teammate. The final run of the offensive inning came off a sacrifice fly to right field by Wright to make the score 7-1.

Trying to keep up with the Fighting Knights, the Eagles put together a rally and loaded the bases with only one out. Montgomery forced the next two outs with a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat.

Making her collegiate debut as a pinch hitter in the sixth, Steczo smacked the ball to center field, adding an extra base hit and RBI on her list of firsts. Lynn added one more run on a fielding error by the third basemen.

Vazquez went 3-4 in the victory, with Vassallo and McEnery also posting multiple hits. Campos and McEnery had two RBI apiece while Olexa scored a team-high two runs.           

Montgomery went a full seven innings in the winning effort, fanning five while surrendering two runs off seven hits.

The Fighting Knights play their home opener on Saturday, February 14, when they host Webber International for a doubleheader starting at 12 pm. Fans can learn more about the softball program by logging onto www.lynnfightingknights.com. Don't forget to 'Like' us on Facebook and follow @Lynn_Knights on Twitter and Instagram for in-game updates.