CLERMONT, Fla. – Though it began the day with a run-rule victory in five innings over Western Connecticut, 9-0, the Plattsburgh State softball team ended it with a 2-0 loss to nationally-ranked no. 18 Rhode Island College at the NTC Dot Richardson Tournament.

The Cardinals now hold a record of 8-4.

Against Western Connecticut, Ashley Napear led the Cardinals by going 2-for-2 at the plate with four runs batted in. Napear singled in the bottom of the first inning, picking up an RBI when Amy Woo scored from second base. She then smashed a shot over the centerfield fence in the third, sending Erin Florkiewicz, Nicole Diemer and Woo across the plate for two more RBIs. Napear is only the fourth Cardinal to hit a grand slam in the history of the program.

Woo, Danielle Gjergji, Diana Garces, Erin Florkiewicz and Erin Jamieson each recorded one hit for Plattsburgh during the contest. Garces got the only other extra base hit of the game for the Cardinals when she doubled to left in the fourth. Gjergji and Jamieson also picked up an RBI each, while Woo scored three runs, Diemer two and Napear, Garces, Jamieson and Florkiewicz each crossed the plate once.

Defensively, Napear recorded five put outs at first base and Jamieson had four in centerfield. Heather Loughran had four assists from the circle. Loughran earned the win after striking out two, walking one, and allowing five hits in five innings of work. She now holds a 3-3 record.

Ashley Marshall hurled the second game for the Cardinals and earned her first loss of the season, placing her at 5-1. Tanya Fedyshyn closed out the game, entering the circle in the seventh inning.

Rhode Island scored both of its unearned runs in the first inning following an error in left field by the Cardinals’ Gjergji. Plattsburgh did not get a single hit during the contest.

Plattsburgh closes out its trip down south tomorrow with a game each against D’Youville and Keene State.