A combination of long ball and solid starting pitching helped the Webster University softball team win its St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener, 5-2, vs. Fontbonne University, on March 31 at Blackburn Park.  In the nightcap, though, the Gorlok defense sprung multiple leaks as the Griffins gained a split with a 10-5 win.

Ashley Meagher (SO, Dupo HS, IL) won her third straight decision in the opener, allowing four hits, two walks, and two runs in the win.  Meagher was pitching shutout ball until getting dinged by two solo home runs with two down in the seventh.  It was her second straight complete game as well.  Jessica Arcangel (SO, St. Lucy's Priory HS, CA) muscled up, hitting home runs in the fourth and sixth innings.  Hanna Brindisi (JR, John A. Logan CC, IL) launched her fourth home run of the season in the sixth, going back to back with Arcangel.

In game two, poor defense helped put the Goloks in a 6-2 hole as starter Trisha Thompson (FR, Xavier Prep HS, AZ) was nicked for four unearned runs in an inning and two-thirds work.  Brindisi's fifth home run helped bring the Gorloks to within a run at 6-5, but more porous defense led to three more unearned runs against Meagher in relief of Thompson.  The Griffins had a 10-5 lead and the game.

Webster opens the SLIAC at 1-1.  Fontbonne, who beat the Goloks in the SLIAC conference tournament championship in 2010, was the pre-season favorite in the SLIAC coaches poll.  Webster is 11-9 on the season.  The Gorloks travel to Louisville, KY, to take on Spalding University on April 2, and return to Blackburn Park on April 9 for a double-header with Principia College (IL).