ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The wait is finally over.
 
After having its season cut short nearly a year ago, the Flagler College softball team hit the ground running Thursday night in a big way as the Saints run-ruled Ursuline College in five innings en route to a season-opening, 14-1, victory at Flagler Field.
 
"It was great to be back out on the field competing again," Flagler head coach Kathryn Geouge said. I'm very proud of the way the whole team came together and played today."
 
The Saints (1-0) scored in every inning, including a five-run first and a pair of four-run frames to show off its fiery offense, which compiled 17 hits over four innings. Six Saints — NaJah Gerrald, Valerie Beltre, Bella Munoz, Mackenzie Smith, Alyssa Velez, Paige Maseda, and Zoe Mooney — all recorded a multi-hit day as Velez doubled and Maseda homered and had in a team-high four RBI. Kyleigh Taylor also had a double and three RBI. Munoz (2-for-3, RBI) made her Flagler debut at shortshop, Smith (2-for-2, BB) registered her second career start, while Morgan Murphy (BB) and Gerrald (BB, HBP, and SB) each had a single.
 
It was the collegiate debut for Beltre (2-for-4, RBI, stolen base), Brandy Barquin (1-for-1, RBI), and pinch runner Michelle Santiago (one run, SB), along with Lucy Giebeig and Gracie Holland who each had an at-bat. Senior Jamie Greenwood singled in her pinch-hit appearance and Tabitha Formon registered her first career at-bat Thursday.
 
Senior pitcher Kyra Gipson (W, 1-0) complimented the Saints' bats as she allowed one run on three hits over four innings while striking out five, and then reliever Sidney Mathis finished the job and retired the side to cap the dominant season-opening victory.
 
The Saints will be back Friday morning for the beginning of the Flagler Invitational with its first game versus No. 12 Valdosta State University at 10 a.m., followed by a 3 p.m. matchup with West Georgia.
 
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