BOX SCORE TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of New Haven softball team dropped its season opener, 11-3, to Texas Woman’s University on Friday afternoon at the NFCA Div. II Leadoff Classic in Tucson, Ariz. Lucy Francisco (Lawrence, Mass./Lawrence ) drove in two runs for the Chargers.
 
Francisco went 1-for-2 with a two-run single and a walk. Jess Spivey added an RBI base-hit, and Keri Tricinelli (Brick, N.J./Monsignor Donovan) and Jen Palase (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) also singled for the Chargers. Palase’s fifth-inning base-knock was the first of her career in her collegiate debut.
 
New Haven (0-1) was in a 6-0 hole after the top of the first inning, but the Chargers got on the board in their half of the opening frame. Brandy Dianno (Philadelphia, Pa./Nazareth Academy) reached on an error and went all the way to third to open the inning. Francisco then drew a walk and, two batters later, Spivey slapped a single to knock home Dianno.
 
However, the Pioneers (7-3) continued to score and led 11-1 entering the fifth frame. Tricinelli led off the bottom of the inning with a single and was replaced at first by pinch runner Sadie Redman (Bangor, Maine/Bangor). Palase followed with a one-out single, and Dianno grounded out to first base to move both runners into scoring position. Francisco then delivered the Chargers’ biggest hit of the afternoon – a two-out , two-run single to run the tally to 11-3. But TWU would get out of the stanza with the eight-run rule still in effect to end the contest after five innings.
 
Brittany Scott (Buena, N.J./Buena Regional) started in the circle in her collegiate debut and took the loss. Fellow freshman Nicole King (Front Royal, Va./Warren County) worked the final frame and did not cede a hit or a walk in a scoreless inning of relief.
 
The Chargers return to the diamond later today in the Grand Canyon State against Regis. In total, New Haven will play six games this weekend at the NFCA Div. II Leadoff Classic.