CLINTON, SC – The Toledo softball team opened its season with a come-from-behind 6-5 win over Bellarmine, but ended the day with a 5-0 loss to Presbyterian in the opening day of the Pinnacle Blue Hose Invitational in Clinton, SC on Friday.

Bellarmine took a 5-1 lead until Toledo broke through for five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jenna Kroll hit a grand slam in the fifth and gave the Rockets a 6-5 lead that held up over the final two innings, giving Jessica Bracamonte her first victory as head coach in her debut as the Rockets' skipper.

"It was great to finally get out and play after working as hard as we have to prepare from day one," said Bracamonte . "There's a lot to be excited about from our performance today as a team, as well as some things we need to clean up. I am extremely proud of the fight we showed in game one today. It was a great team win. Jenna had a great timely hit, but without the three who made it on base before her, the result isn't the same."

In the afternoon game, Presbyterian took a 2-0 lead from a two-run homer by Lath Freeman in the opening inning, and then added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Rockets had chances with runners in scoring position in the first, third and fourth innings but could not cross home.

Sophia Knight got the call for the opening pitch of 2023, going the distance and striking out four batters for the win vs. Bellarmine. Erin Hunt pitched in Game 2, her first appearance in the circle since May 16, 2021. She went 6.0 innings and ended the game with eight strikeouts. 

"Erin and Sophia competed in the circle from start to finish, which is exactly what we need," Bracamonte added. "I am looking forward to taking the momentum and lessons from today to use and come back even better tomorrow."

Toledo (1-1) will take the field vs. Bellarmine (0-1) and Presbyterian (1-0) once again tomorrow. First pitch vs. the Knights is scheduled for 9:00 am.

Game 1 – Toledo 6, Bellarmine 5

• Toledo had two runners on base with one out, but a strike out and a fly out to right field ended the inning.
• Bellarmine added three more runs in the third off a solo homer, an RBI single, and a bases loaded walk to widen its distance from Toledo, 4-0.
• Toledo had bases loaded with no outs in the bottom of the fourth when the first run for the Rockets scored off a sacrifice fly to center field. The Rockets left three runners stranded and trailed 4-1.
• Abbey Nesnidal's RBI single put Bellarmine ahead 5-1 in the fifth.
• An RBI single with bases loaded scored another run for the Rockets and Jenna Kroll brought all runners home with a grand slam over the left wall to give Toledo a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the fifth.
• The Knights went three up, three down in the sixth, and left one runner stranded in the seventh to clinch UT's first victory of the 2023 season.

Game 2 – Presbyterian 5, Toledo 0

• Lath Freeman hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the first to give Presbyterian a 2-0 lead.
• Toledo left two runners stranded in scoring position at the top of the third.
• Freeman added a solo home run and Bellarmine scored a pair of runs on errors in the sixth to take a 5-0 lead into the final inning.
• Toledo went down 1-2-3 to end the game.