MANKATO, Minn. - The University of Dubuque Spartans softball team opened their 2023 season on Saturday at the Bethany Lutheran College Kwik Trip Invitational and ended the day with a 1-1 record for new UD head coach Joshua Keener. UD collected their first win of the season over the College of St. Scholastica by a 5-2 final score and lost to #9-ranked Bethel University 5-16.

In the season opener, UD started the bottom of the first inning with two runs for an early 2-1 lead. The Spartans added to that with another pair of runs in the third inning for a 4-1 advantage. The bottom of the fifth and the Spartans added another run to lead by a 5-1 margin. UD held St. Scholastica scoreless from the second inning through the sixth before they sliced into the lead with a run in the top of the seventh for the victory. UD score five runs off nine hits, played errorless and stranded five runners on base. St. Scholastica scored two runs off six hits, committed two errors, and left six runners on base in the loss.

Six Spartans collected hits in their first game of the season and a trio ended with two hits each. Leadoff Bella Allison (RF) went 2-4 with a run scored and was left on base once. Deanna Salerno (2B) finished 2-3 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI's. Chloe Hild (1B) was 2-3 with a pair of RBI's. Dariann Diorio and Chloe Held each finished the game with their first doubles of the season.

Paige Manning went the full seven innings for a complete game and her first win of the year. She allowed two earn runs in six hits, fanned nine batters while one walking one lone batter. She faced 29 batters and forced them into 10 fly outs and a pair of ground outs.

In game two, UD met a tough top-ranked #9 Bethel University and trailed early 0-3 through three innings. UD collected two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to trail 2-3 before both sides scored three runs each in the fifth inning with Bethel holding on to a one run lead 6-5. A couple of walks and errors allowed Bethel to score six runs in the sixth inning off three hits and two costly errors. They would score four more runs in the seventh to extend their victory 16-5 over UD.

Six players grabbed a hit against Bethel including a homerun by Deanna Salerno who finished the game with three RBI's. Bella Allison was 2-4 and the lone Spartan with multiple hits in the loss.

Megan Wolff started and tossed four innings allowing three earned runs after facing 18 batters and striking out three. Jaelyn Blakemore came in for relief and allowed seven earned runs while fanning three batters. Kayleen Sebo allowed three earned runs after facing eight batters.

UD continues play on Sunday, Feb. 19 when they play St. Catherine University at 8:00 a.m. and Concordia College at 10:30 a.m.