Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 KNOXVILLE, TENN -- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods softball had some ups and downs during its first action of the 2023 season, splitting a doubleheader at Johnson University. 
The Pomeroys took the opener 11-7 in 11 innings as Summer Rocha (1-0) tossed all 11 innings in the circle. Johnson University rebounded to shut the Pomeroys out in the nightcap for a 6-0 victory. 
"Obvioiusly, we aren't happy we split but getting a win is always good when you're on the road," coach Jim Walker said. "We haven't been able to get outside much because of the weather and it definitely showed. We misplayed some balls that we normally make look routine." 

GAME 1
SMWC got the scoring started in the top of the first when Tori Lee (North Vernon, Ind./Jennings County) singled, stole second and raced home on a throwing error when she stole third. The Pomeroys pulled ahead 2-0 in the second on a sacrifice fly by Camryn Scott (Terre Haute, Ind./Terre Haute North). Freshman Jaleigh Crawford (Elwood, Ind./Elwood) scored from third after doubling. 
Johnson ralled with a three-run triple by Sloane Baldridge. in the bottom of the third. Katrina Strow (Paris, Ill/Paris) evened the score with an RBI single in the fourth. 
The Pomeroys regained the lead when Lee doubled to drive home Scott in the sixth. Ashley Shanks followed with a two-run homer to put SMWC ahead 6-3. 
The Royals evened it in the seventh to force extra innings and the two teams went scoreless for three innings. Scott doubled in Strow to start the big inning. Lyric Krause (West Terre Haute, Ind./West Vigo) doubled to left-center field to drive in two. Two more runs scored on an error.
Rylee Pender (Terre Haute, Ind./Terre Haute North) went 3 for 5. Scott went 2 for 6 with two RBIs. Shanks was 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Lee went 2 for 4 with three runs scored. Crawford was 2 for 5 with a run scored in her collegiate debut. 
"Summer battled for 11 innings and kept picking us up and giving us a chance to win until the bats finally came through," Walker said. "We got two really solid defensive performances from Rylee Pender in left field and Emily Singleton caught a great first game for her first career start."

GAME 2
Krause and Crawford had the only two hits for the Pomeroys against Lindy Weber, who struck out 13 for the Royals. 
Gracie Ables (0-1) allowed just three hits for SMWC, but she walked seven in five innings. 

FINAL THOUGHT
"It was a good opening day to pick up a win and get to see all the things we need to work on going into next weekend. Hopefully the opening day jitters are gone for everyone - especially the freshmen -- and they will settle into their roles and we will get better everytime out and play with a little more enthusiasm." - coach Jim Walker

UP NEXT
SMWC returns to action next Saturday in the KC NAIA Tournament against Missouri Valley and Tabor.