ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.- The Flagler College softball team split opening day of the Old Coast Classic on Friday, beating Edward Waters University 9-6 and falling to Wingate University 4-0.
 
In game one, Edward Waters was the first on the board putting up a run in each of the first two innings. Flagler followed it up with four runs on four hits in the bottom of the second. Kiersten James walked to start off the inning and Kyla Knier came behind her with a single up the middle to make it two runners on. With one out, Sydney Stewart doubles to left center to bring in James and Knier, tying it up 2-2. Paige Maseda connects for an RBI double to right center that scores Stewart. The fourth run came from a two-out triple by Cassidy Crump that brought Maseda home. 
 
Two more runs for the Saints came in the bottom of the third. Stewart connected on a double with two outs, scoring Emily Ricci and Knier for two RBI to push the lead 6-2. 
 
Edward Waters added four more runs in the top of the fourth to tie the game. 
 
The bottom of the fifth saw the final runs come in for Flagler. James singled to right field to reach base with one out but was called out on a fielder's choice play that let Knier reach first. Ricci singled to left field to put two runners on. With two outs, Stewart sent a triple down the right field line that brought in Knier and Ricci, then scored on a throwing error from second base, taking the lead again 9-6. 
 
Madelyn Wise (2-0) earned the win for the Saints after pitching 3.2 innings, recording six strikeouts and allowing only one hit. 
 
In game two, the Saints fell behind early with Wingate scoring their first run in the top of the first. Stewart singled through the left side in the bottom of the first, eventually making her way to third, but was unable to score. The top of the second saw a 1-2-3 inning at the hands of the Flagler defense. The Bulldogs added their second run in the top of the fourth, then pushed the lead to 4-0 in the top of the fifth. The Saints had runners on first and third in the bottom of the sixth but were unable to capitalize and eventually fell to Wingate. 
 
Rachel Hester saw her first loss of the season after pitching four innings and facing 20 batters. Wise finished out the game, recording two strikeouts and allowing one hit. 
The Saints will face Wingate and Edward Waters again tomorrow (Feb. 10) as the Old Coast Classic continues. Flagler will start the day against Wingate at 9 a.m.
 
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