Jackson, Tenn. – The Maryville University softball team opened the 2018 season with a split against Union University Thursday evening at Fesmire Field in Jackson, Tenn. The Saints fell in the opener, 6-4 and bounced back in the nightcap to defeat the Bulldogs, 5-1.
 
Game One:
The Saints grabbed an early lead in third inning as Jaclyn Pasakarnis drilled a two-run single into right field to give Maryville a 2-0 advantage. The Saints tacked on a third run as Sheridon Sprague hit an infield single to give Maryville a 3-0 lead. The Bulldogs answered back with a run in the home half of the third inning and four runs in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead. Union added an insurance run in the sixth inning to extend the lead to 6-4. Maryville had an opportunity in the top of the seventh inning with bases loaded, but could not drive in the winning run.
 
Winning Pitcher: Gabby Morris – 1-1
Save: Taylor Griffith – 1
Losing Pitcher: Sprague – 0-1
Hitting leader: Pasakarnis – 1-for-3, 2 RBI's, HBP
 
Game Two:
Maryville grabbed control of the nightcap early as starting pitcher Alyssa Callans helped her own cause in the third inning with a solo shot to center field to give the Saints a 1-0 lead. After Maryville scored a run in the fourth inning to extend the lead to 2-0, the Saints struck for three runs in the top of the seventh inning as Callans nailed a triple to right field and scored on a Hannah Tolley single to give Maryville a 3-0 advantage. Pasakarnis added a pair of insurance runs with a two-run homer that gave the Saints a 5-0 lead. Union struck for a run in the seventh, but that was all they could muster as Callans earned her victory of the year.
 
 Winning Pitcher: Callans – 1-0
Save: None
Losing Pitcher: Parker Davis – 0-2
Hitting leader: Pasakarnis – 1-for-4, 2 RBI's, HR (1)
 
Records:
Maryville – 1-1
Union – 1-3
 
Up Next - Maryville concludes their trip to Jackson tomorrow as the Saints take on Bethel College at noon and Lemoyne-Owen College at 2 p.m. at Fesmire Field.