Cedar Falls, Iowa - Toledo Softball opened its season today with games against Northern Iowa and Drake on day one of the Northern Iowa UNI-Dome Classic. The Rockets dropped both contests, falling 5-0 to the Panthers and 7-0 to the Bulldogs.
 
Game 1 vs. Northern Iowa
The Rockets' first game was highlighted by sophomore Kylie Norwood who hit a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in the leadoff position. Fellow second-year Raelyn Nyren also had an impressive day as she began transitioning into a more prominent hitting role, singling twice.
 

• Norwood opened the game with a bouncer up the middle to get on first but the Rockets weren't able to bring her in. Senior pitcher Kailey Minarchick gave up one hit in the opening frame and walked another but UT worked out of the jam, leaving two on base and closing the first with a clean sheet.
• UNI opened scoring in the third frame when Sammey Bunch homered out to left field, bringing in Brittney Krodinger and making things 2-0.

• In the fourth, Minarchick worked through two outs before Jenny Kohl hit one back at the circle to get on base. UNI's Brittney Krodinger stepped up to the plate and got her third hit of the night, a left-line grounder that brought in two runners and sent her to third on the throw. Olivia Brooks singled to the right field to make the score 5-0 before Courtney Krodinger grounded out.
• Toledo showed a glimpse of life in the sixth when Norwood got her third straight hit of the night following a single from Nyren. Senior Megan Choate followed up with a single to third that forced out Nyren. The scoring chance slipped away though as senior Katie Cozy lined out to end the half inning.
• Toledo showed life once again in the final inning when senior Kaitlyn Bergman reached on balls, sophomore Taylor Weekly walked, and Nyren hit a single to load the bases. With two outs, freshman Raquel Emery was unable to bring in freshman Brianna Robeson (who was pinch running for Bergman) though and struck out swinging to end the game.

 
TOLEDO (0-1) -VS- UNI (1-1)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Toledo	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1
UNI	0	0	2	3	0	0	X	5	9	0

W: Olejniczak,E (1-0)
L: Minarchick, Kailey (0-1)
 
 
Game 2 vs. Drake:

• Drake got into scoring position early thanks to a walk, hit and error. UT was able to get two outs in the first but senior Heather Webb tossed four balls to Alexia Lara to bring in Mandi Roemmich free of charge before the end of the inning.
• Things got shaky again in the second when Webb gave up another walk on the second batter. Drake was able to capitalize again after a ground rule double by Macy Johnson brought in one, and again on a double to left field that brought in a third. Three straight walks brought in a fourth bag before Toledo head coach Joe Abraham ended Webb's day, handing things over to junior Leah Allison.
• The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the sixth when Abby Buie singled to right field which allowed Laura Anderson to score, making the score 5-0.
• Drake's Newman was relieved in the sixth inning after a commendable day where the redshirt senior didn't give up a hit and recorded 12 strikeouts.
• The Bulldogs poured salt in the wound in the top of the seventh when Kennedy Frank smacked a triple that brought in two runners and moved the score to 7-0.

 
DRAKE (1-0) -VS- TOLEDO (0-2)

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Drake	1	3	0	0	0	1	2	7	10	0
Toledo	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1

W:Newman (1-0)
L:Webb, Heather (0-1)
 
Up next
Toledo returns for day two of the UNI-Dome Classic tomorrow at 3:45 P.M. est for a rematch against Drake. The Rockets then play a 8:15 P.M. est game against Southeast Missouri State. Game one tomorrow will be available on ESPN3.