ORLANDO, Fla. - Softball has a tough first day of their Orlando playing stint, falling to both Suffolk and Pacific Lutheran.

The Pride fall to 3-4 on the season and remain 0-0 in conference play.
 

BY THE NUMBERS: SUFFOLK 

• Elizabeth Carney led the offense with a 1-for-3 performance, driving in two RBIs with a double, while also scoring a run and stealing two bases. 

• Paris Balilonis contributed with an RBI single, going 1-for-4 at the plate. 

• Alyssa Gomez showed patience at the plate, reaching base via a hit-by-pitch and scoring a run. 

• Katelyn Tong provided relief pitching, tossing 3.0 innings while allowing no earned runs and striking out three batters. 

BY THE NUMBERS: PACIFIC LUTHERAN 

• Leah Digandomenico had a strong offensive performance, going 1-for-2 with a double. 

• Elizabeth Carney remained a key contributor, reaching base and playing solid defense at second base. 

• Sam McCarthy continued her defensive excellence with multiple putouts at first base. 

• Taylor Bell and Jocelin Mayorga reached base to help generate offense. 

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST SUFFOLK 

• Widener wasted no time getting on the board, plating a run in the top of the first. Elizabeth Carney set the tone with a leadoff double and later came around to score, giving the Pride an early advantage. The offense stalled over the next two innings, as Suffolk's defense held firm. In the top of the fourth, Widener broke through again. Paris Balilonis came up with an RBI single to tie the game, followed by Carney's clutch two-run double, pushing Widener ahead 3-2. 

• Suffolk responded swiftly in the bottom of the fourth, capitalizing on defensive miscues and timely hitting to plate four runs and reclaim the lead. Widener's offense struggled to generate momentum in the later innings, held in check by Suffolk's bullpen. Despite a strong relief outing from Katelyn Tong, who pitched three scoreless innings, Widener couldn't close the gap. The Pride's final push in the seventh came up short, as they fell 7-3. 

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST PACIFIC LUTHERAN 

• Widener's bats started slow in the early innings, as Pacific Lutheran's pitching kept the Pride off the scoreboard. In contrast, PLU struck first with a run in the bottom of the second. The third inning proved costly for Widener, as Pacific Lutheran's lineup broke out with a four-run frame, capitalizing on a mix of walks and key hits to extend their lead. Another two-run inning for PLU in the fourth made it a steep uphill battle for the Pride, who entered the bottom of the fourth trailing 7-0. 

• The Pride fought to get back in the game, with Leah Digandomenico providing a spark by roping a double in the fifth. However, Widener couldn't cash in on their few scoring opportunities, leaving runners stranded. PLU tacked on an additional insurance run in the fifth, and despite solid defensive play from Sam McCarthy at first base, Widener was unable to claw back. The game was called after five innings due to the run rule, sealing an 8-0 loss for the Pride. 

UP NEXT
The Pride continue their Florida games with a doubleheader against New England and Utica tomorrow, Sunday March 9. First pitch is at 9am.