NORTH MYTLE BEACH, SC – The Cairn University Softball team went on a six-game road trip to the Fast Pitch Dreams Classic on North Myrtle Beach, SC, going 1-5 down south, missing out on two regularly scheduled games with a doubleheader rained out on Wednesday.
 
The Highlanders opened their season on Tuesday as they took on the Lions of Eastern Nazarene College (3-7), dropping the matchup 11-1 in 5 innings. Senior centerfielder Adriana Shannon (Marlton, NJ / Cherokee High School) and sophomore outfielder Jolene Zefferi (Bristol, PA / Bristol) each had a hit. 
 
Softball picked up their first victory of the season and the week in their second game of the day, behind a seven-spot in the first inning as they held on to a 7-4 victory over Penn State – Du Bois (2-6). Shannon led the way with a pair of hits, including a double, and two RBI. Freshman pitcher Evelyn Johnson (Yardley, PA / Calvary Christian Academy) pitched a complete game, picking up the win to move to 1-1 on the young season, surrendering only three earned runs. 
 
On Thursday, the Highlanders would strike first against Immaculata (4-4), bringing across two runs in the top of the third inning as Zefferi found her way on base and scoring by way of junior infielder Julia Bruestle (Abington, PA / Abington HS) reaching base on a fielder's choice. After a single from freshman shortstop Emily Brittin (Winslow, NJ / Pilgrim Academy), Shannon was forced on after sophomore utility player Abby McIntyre (Galloway, NJ Pilgrim Academy) worked a walk.
 
The Mighty Macs responded back with a run to cut the lead to 2-1. In the fourth, Immaculata added four runs to take a 5-2 lead. Cairn looked for a late comeback in the seventh inning with Bruestle, McIntyre and Johnson each singling to get things started, Johnson driving in Bruestle to make the deficit 5-3. The tying runs would be left on base as Immaculata held on for a 5-3 victory.
 
Cairn would see the Nittany Lions of Penn State – Du Bois again for a rematch on Thursday morning. Sophomore catcher Myiah Petroro (Long Island, NY / Liberty University Online Academy) drove in Shannon on a sacrifice fly to open the game with Johnson scoring on a wild pitch as the Highlanders were ahead 2-0. With the Nittany Lions responding with a run, sophomore righty Sydney Wright (Souderton, PA / Souderton Area HS) brought freshman outfielder Ella Quince (Morrisville, PA / Morrisville) around to score to put Cairn back up by a pair.
 
In the third, Penn State – Du Bois scored seven as they silenced the Highlander offense for two innings. The Nittany Lions added two more in the fourth. Petroro came up to the plate with bases loaded in the top of the fifth, scoring junior infielder Abbi Heacock (Media, PA / Delaware County Christian School), now down 10-4. Penn State – Du Bois brought two more in to score in the fifth to end the game.
 
On Friday, the Highlanders faced off with Centenary (6-2) in a nine inning battle. The Cyclones got on the scoreboard first in the second inning, going ahead 1-0, adding another in the fourth. Johnson kicked off the sixth inning with a single, coming around to score on a single by Brittin. With the game on the line in the seventh, senior outfielder Katie Fauske (Staten Island, NY / Port Richmond High School) led off with a single, moving into scoring position as Bruestle and Shannon singled as well. A passed ball would score Fauske to tie the game. Johnson struck out the two batters in the bottom half and fielding a ground ball back to her, stranding the winning run to force extra innings. 
 
Brittin bunted Petroro over to third to lead off the eighth with McIntyre scoring her classmate on a sacrifice fly. Centenary scored on their turn on offense as we headed to the ninth inning. Wright started on second and was bunted over to third before being thrown out at the plate looking to put the Highlanders ahead. With the fate of the game in their hands, Centenary walked off on a single, taking the game 4-3. Johnson would take the loss while striking out three and only allowing two earned runs and a single walk.
 
To end the trip, the Highlanders took on Penn College (5-3) of the United East Volt Division, dropping the week's finale, 20-0. Shannon and Brittin would each manage a hit in the loss.
 
Now back in Langhorne, Cairn will open play in the northeast on Thursday as they head to Lancaster Bible College for a Skye/Volt Division crossover matchup at 3 & 5 p.m. On Saturday, the Highlanders will host Penn State Schuylkill for their home opener at 12 & 2 p.m.