KISSIMMEE, FL – The University of Rochester softball team kicked off its spring break trip in Florida with a pair of one-run victories on Monday morning, winning 1-0 over the University of Mount Union and 3-2 over Husson University at The Spring Games.
 
The wins lift Rochester's record to 3-3 in the early part of the season.
 
Senior Madi Turner provided the lone run of the opening game, blasting a solo home run in the second inning, and first-year Molly Broccolo tossed a 3-hit shutout in the circle, powering the Yellowjackets to the win over Mount Union (1-2).
 
In game two, the Yellowjackets got a 2-run home run in the sixth inning from senior Hannah Keiper, rallying past Husson (2-4). Keiper accounted for all three runs batted in, as she singled in pinch-runner Jensen Sminchak in the fourth inning.
 
Brocollo again earned the win, this time in relief of starter Lauren Keys and reliever Christin Napierkowski.
 
Game 1:
Rochester 1, Mount Union 0
In game one, UR threatened in the bottom of the first inning as leadoff hitter Ally Kim singled to left and stole second. After a strikeout, a ground out moved Kim to third, but that was as far as she would get as Mount Union pitcher Kendyll Cahill ended the threat with another strikeout.
 
Mount Union's top of the second was similar, as with one out, Sydney Mercer walked and stole second. She moved up to third on a ground out to short, but Broccolo induced another ground ball to keep the game scoreless.
 
Turner put the Yellowjackets on the board in the second, lacing a solo shot to left center, her first of the season and sixth of her career.
 
During the fifth inning, the Purple Raiders had a one-out single to put the tying run aboard, but a strong defensive play on an attempted sacrifice ended the scoring chance. With Faith Reicosky on first, Kaitlyn Culver bunted her up to second but was out at first. Second baseman Molly Mason recorded the out and fired across the diamond to Kim at third who was covering, tagging out Reicosky who was trying to advance an extra base.
 
Mount Union didn't get a runner past first the rest of the way, with Broccolo only allowing a 2-out single in the seventh en route to the shutout.
 
Broccolo finished the game by allowing just three hits, and a pair of walks while recording three strikeouts.
 
Cahill also was strong for the Purple Raiders, surrendering just three hits and the one run while striking out five.
 
Game 2:
Rochester 3, Husson 2
Husson batted as the home team and immediately threatened with runners at second and third during the bottom of the first inning, only to see Keys escape by getting a deep fly out to left center field.
 
In the second, the Eagles broke through for a run on a hustle play rom Morgan Curtis. With runners at first and second, Katie Raymond grounded out to second. Mason made the play for UR diving to her left, allowing Curtis the chance to score from second, beating the throw to the plate.
 
Keys was removed for Napierkowski and after a walk, the sophomore right-hander ended the inning by getting a fly out to center.
 
The Yellowjackets battled back to tie the game in the fourth. Jenna Gorecki doubled to left second with one out, putting a runner in scoring position. UR pinch-ran with Sminchak and on the first pitch after the change, Keiper lined a single to left, tying the game.
 
During the fifth, Husson's Angelina Fucci led off with a double down the left field line. A sacrifice bunt moved her to third, chasing Napierkowski from the circle. UR turned to Broccolo in relief and the first-year got the ground ball she wanted, but it was bobbled and the throw was late to the plate, allowing the Eagles to take the 2-1 lead.
 
Husson's lead didn't last long though, as Keiper's two-run blast in the top of the sixth pushed Rochester in front.
 
Broccolo pitched around a 1-out single in the sixth and shut down the side in the seventh to allow UR to hold on for the doubleheader sweep. She finished with 2.2 innings of work and allowed just one hit, striking out two in her second victory of the day.
 
Napierkowski also struck out two and allowed one unearned run and two hits, pitching 2.2 innings. Keys ended with 1.2 innings in the circle, allowing two hits and one run with one walk.
 
McKenna Smith tossed a complete game for the Eagles, striking out seven Yellowjackets while allowing 6 hits, 3 runs and 1 walk.
 
At the plate, Keiper finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run. Tori Exel finished 2-for-3 for the Eagles.
 
Rochester continues The Spring Games schedule on Tuesday with a pair of matchups against College of Saint Benedict (11:30 am) and Hiram College (2 pm).