MANKATO, Minn. - The UW-Stout softball team started their season on a high note, securing a 6-0 victory over Gustavus Adolphus in their season opener at the MSU Dome
The Blue Devils struck early, capitalizing on defensive miscues in the second inning to put four runs on the board. Liz Rohl reached on an error, allowing Emma Fortier to score the first run of the game. Emma Muehlenbeck followed with an RBI single, bringing in Rayni Bresnahan. Payton Dolecki then delivered a base hit to score Rohl, and Donna D'Addabbo capped off the inning by drawing a bases-loaded walk to push Abbey Dusterhoft across the plate.
UW-Stout added insurance runs in the fifth when Dusterhoft ripped a two-run double to left-center, scoring Rohl and Elly Holden to extend the lead to 6-0.
In the circle, Anna Blanford (1-0) was dominant, tossing six shutout innings while allowing just one hit and striking out six. S. Ber pitched a scoreless seventh to seal the win.
The Blue Devils (1-0) tallied six hits in the game, led by Dusterhoft's two-RBI performance. Gustavus Adolphus (0-1) was limited to just one hit as UW-Stout's pitching and defense kept the Gusties in check.
UW-Stout returns to action next weekend when they travel to St. Cloud, Minn. to face the College of Saint Benedict for a double header on Feb. 22.
