RICHMOND, Ind. – The Bluejays opened the softball season over the weekend, picking up a win in the four-game set with Saint Mary's (Ind.) and Earlham (Ind.).

Game 1
Elmhurst 6, St. Mary's 5
W: Hoyh (1-0) • L: Yeo
HR: Jenkins (1)

The Bluejays would strike first, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the 3rd; after Danielle Hood doubled and scored on a fielding error, a sacrifice fly would score Hannah Kofira for the 2-0 advantage.

St. Mary's would respond in a big way, posting four runs in the bottom of the 3rd and one more in the 4th for a 5-2 lead.

Elmhurst bounced back with a rally in the 5th inning, beginning with a pair of singles from Tia Splitgerber and AnnaMarie Vivirito to lead off the frame. One run would score on a throwing error, and later in the inning Hailee Jenkins would give the Jays the lead with a three-run home run, 6-5.

Hood finished 3-for-4 in the win with a double to lead the team at the plate, while Grace Hayes finished went 2-for-3 with a double and RBI.

Game 2
Earlham 8, Elmhurst 0 (5 inn.)
W: Messer • L: Lenczewski (0-1)

The Jays struggled at the plate, collecting three hits in the game. Hayes singled in the 2nd inning and Salon would draw a walk but both runners would be stranded. Bailey Proffitt in the 3rd and Maddie Kriech in the 5th would also pick up base hits.

Game 3
St. Mary's 8, Elmhurst 3
W: Mikitka • L: Lenczewski (0-2)

The Belles opened game three with a five-run top of the first, but Elmhurst would rally in the bottom half of the frame. A leadoff single from Proffitt would get things started, followed by a walk drawn by Hood. Vivirito would get her team on the board with an RBI single up the middle, and Josie Waite drove in two runs with a base hit to left.

The Bluejays would get runners aboard in every inning but were unable to drive in any runs the rest of the way, as St. Mary's put the game away with a three-run 7th inning.

Vivirito finished 3-for4 with an RBI and run to lead the Jays at the plate.

Game 4
Earlham 8, Elmhurst 3
W: Rickert • L: Hoyh (1-1)

The Bluejays would get two runs across in the top of the 1st for the early lead, on a sac fly from Splitgerber, and an RBI single to right from Proffitt. Earlham would respond with a run in the bottom of the 1st, but the Jays rallied again in the next frame.

In the top of the 2nd, three straight batters would reach base with singles from Bella Swift and Brenna Morley. A bases-loaded walk drawn by Splitgerber pushed another run across to give Elmhurst a 3-1 lead as Swift crossed the plate.

The home team would pull away over the final four frames, taking the lead with a run in the 3rd and two more in the 4th. Earlham would tack on four more runs over the final two innings to take the win.

Morley finished 2-for-4 with a run for the lone multi-hit performance in the game for the Bluejays.

Elmhurst now prepares for their home opener in two weeks, when they host Aurora at Salt Creek Park for a doubleheader on Tuesday, Mar. 17, beginning at 2pm.