CLERMONT, Fla. - Toledo pitching surrendered just two hits and did not allow a run as the Rockets posted a pair of shutout victories on the opening day of Dot Richardson's National Collegiate Softball Invitational on Friday.

GAME 1
Junior Kailey Minarchick was sensational in shutting down Fairleigh Dickinson and holding the Knights to just one hit en route to a 1-0 win.

Minarchick was efficient, needing only 76 pitches to get through her 7.0 shutout innings. She posted four strikeouts and did not issue a walk in the contest.

The Rockets nearly blew open the game in the first inning, but stranded the bases loaded. Senior Sam Showalter reached on a fielder choice, stole second and advance to third on an error to spark the inning. Senior Ashley Rausch was hit by a pitch and sophomore Morgan Paaverud walked, but UT could not capitalize in the inning.

Showalter singled up the middle with one out in the third and stole second to get into scoring position. Paaverud was intentionally walked with two outs and freshman Bekah Yenrick came through with her first career hit to drive in Showalter.

That would be all the offensive support Minarchick needed. The lone Fairleigh Dickinson (0-1) hit was a two-out double by Maddie Emerson in the fourth inning. Minarchick retired the side in order in the final three defensive innings to seal the win and the shutout.

GAME 2
Junior Heather Webb picked up where Minarchick left off and dazzled through 5.0 one-hit innings to defeat Detroit Mercy, 3-0. Webb struck out six while allowing three walks. 

This time the Rockets (2-0) were able to jump on their first inning opportunities and chase across an early run. Freshman Kylie Norwood led off the game with her first career hit, a single to right field, and was followed by a single by classmate Bailey Curry.

Showalter bounced into a fielder's choice which put runners on first and third with one out. Showalter then stole second and Norwood was able to beat the play at the plate to tally the Rockets' first run.

Webb worked around a two-out walk in the first and a pair of walks in the third to keep Detroit Mercy scoreless. 

The Titans (0-1) threatened Webb in the fifth inning with a leadoff single and a defensive error. Webb recovered to fan the next UDM hitter and induce a fly ball to left field to end the rally.

Toledo kept the momentum and put the game away with a pair of runs in the sixth. Norwood was hit by a pitch leading off and Curry reached on an infield single. Showalter moved the runners with a sacrifice bunt and freshman Taylor Weekly delivered with a two-run single to right.

Freshman Maggie McGurk pitched a perfect sixth inning for UT and sophomore Alissa Noble came on to record the save in the seventh. 

With the wins, the Rockets start their season 2-0 for the first time since 1999. UT will take on Morgan State at 11:00 a.m. and defending NISC Champions Liberty at 1:30 p.m. during day two of the invitational.