TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor softball team opened the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Leadoff Classic with a 3-1 win over Emory & Henry College Friday evening in Tucson.
 
UMHB took a lead in the bottom of the first inning when Milly Cesare scored on an RBI double from Hannah Wolfe. UMHB extended that lead in the top of the fifth inning. Cesare hit an RBI double to score Lexi Harris before Wolfe hit in Cesare again with an RBI single. Emory & Henry mounted a comeback in the top of the seventh inning. The Wasps scored one with the bases loaded, but UMHB put out two base runners at home and ended the inning in a strikeout, giving the Cru a 3-1 win.
 
Wolfe led the Cru with two hits while Cesare, Harris and Ashley Estrada all added one. Kat Reed earned the win in the circle for UMHB, pitching six innings with just two hits allowed. Reed struck out four and walked four. Camryn Rucker earned the save for the Cru, pitching one inning with three hits and one run allowed. Cameron Derr took the loss for the Wasps, throwing six innings with five hits and three runs allowed.
 
UMHB was scheduled to play No. 2 Christopher Newport but the game was called early due to light restrictions in Tucson. The Cru returns to action on Saturday, March 7^th in a 1:30 p.m. (MT) contest against Pacific Lutheran University and a 3:30 p.m. (MT) contest against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.