Box Score

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Sophomore right-hander Shawna Bleyl allowed just four hits and no earned runs in going the distance to lead Army to a 6-1 win over Marist in the Black Knights' opening  game at the Rebel Spring Games played as the Osceola County Softball Complex Monday morning.

The Black Knights capitalized on seven hits along with eight walks off two Marist pitchers to post their fourth straight win of the season to move to 4-3.   Army collected four of its hits in the third inning to opening the scoring with three runs. Alex Reynolds keyed that inning having a hand in all three runs. She delivered the first two (Jennae Tomlinson and Rachael Duval who singled) with a single to right field, then moved into scoring position on the throw home. After stealing third base, Reynolds crossed on classmate Tiffany Held's RBI single for a 3-0 lead.

Bleyl, leveling her season mark to 1-1, was touched for an unearned run in the top of the fith inning inning after getting out unscathed with runners in scoring position in the first four innings. After being touched for a leadoff single, the next batter, Lauren Napoli, reached on an error on her sacrifice bunt. A hit batsman loaded the bases with the groundout providing the force at home plate for the first out. With bases still loaded, A.J. Ponce's RBI groundout delivered Napoli for the Red Foxes lone run to ruin Bleyl's shutout while drawing to 3-1.

Army added a pair of runs in the fifth inning with Held (2-for-3) lining a one-out RBI single to left field to deliver pinch runner Natalia Gruenbaum for the first run. Angela Deger, who drew a walk, moved to second on Held's single and came around on the next play. With bases loaded, Marist recorded the second out on a force at home plate moving Deger to third. The catcher tried to throw out Clara Navarro on a double play attempt at first base, but her overthrow allowed Deger to cross as Army stretched its advantage to 5-1.  

Bleyl retired the next five  batters before giving up her final hit of the game to Napoli with one out in the top of the seventh, but the Black Knights turned a double play to end the game and pull ahead 22-13 in the all-time series with the Red Foxes.

Army closed out the scoring in the top of the sixth on Alexis AuBuchon's RBI double to right field delivering Duval who drew a walk and moved into scoring position on Erin McClain's single in scoring her second run of the game. The two-bagger is AuBuchon's team-leading third of the season and career 13th.

It is the first time since 2005 that Army opened with a win at the Rebel Spring Games. The Black Knights face a tough challenge in their second game of the day taking on Tennesse-Martin, who had defeated Marist 13-0 prior to its game with the Black Knights.