The Crusader softball team opened their 2006 schedule Sunday morning in Orlando, Fla., defeating Saint Peter's 7-1 before falling to Maine 5-1 on the first day of action at the Rebel Spring Games.

Megan Carroll (Eaton Rapids, Mich./Eaton Rapids) kicked off the Crusader season with a single to open the first inning. Carroll would come around to score the season's first run later in the inning, and Taylor Callahan (Pendergrass, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) came in on a Courtney LaFerle (Elgin, Ill./Larkin) single later in the opening frame.

The Crusaders iced the game with a three-run fifth, getting an RBI single from Callahan and a two-run, two-out bases loaded single from Shannon Robinson (Toronto, Ontario/John Redmond).

Freshman Stephanie Kelly (Plainfield, Ill./Central) twirled a gem in her first career game, picking up the victory and allowing only one run in five innings of work. Kelly did not walk a batter, struck out three, and scattered seven hits. Andrea Zappia (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) relieved Kelly in the sixth and struck out five of the nine batters she faced.

Valpo capped the scoring in the seventh. Callahan tripled to lead off and came around to score on a Robinson base hit, her third RBI of the game.

Carroll finished 3-for-3 with a double and a walk to pace the Crusader offense, while Callahan chipped in three hits of her own and drove in a run.

In the second game of the day, Valpo's defense let down starter Chris Halstead (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral), as five Crusader errors led to four unearned runs in a 5-1 Maine victory.

Halstead and Zappia limited the Black Bears to only three hits, but did combine to issue four walks. Robinson was Valpo's best offensive weapon, stroking a pair of hits, while LaFerle drove in the Brown and Gold's lone run in the first inning.

The Crusaders (1-1) return to action Monday at the Rebel Spring Games. Valpo will meet Tennessee State at 1:20 p.m. and Yale at 3:10 p.m.


Valpo-Saint Peter's box score
Valpo-Maine box score