SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College softball team hosted Merrimack College in its home opener. After dropping the first game 5-0, the Yellow Jackets earned their first win of the season in dramatic fashion, 5-4.

FAST FACTS:
Game 1 Final Score:Merrimack 5, AIC 0
Win: Megan Cook (7-1) Loss: Arianna DiCioccio (0-6)

Game 2 Final Score:AIC 5, Merrimack 4
Win: Kayla Riley (1-0) Loss: Courtney Zambello
Location: Judy Groff Field, Springfield, Mass.
Records:AIC moves to 1-11; Merrimack moves to 13-4

STATS LEADERS:
Game 1:
AIC:
Lydia DePina: 2-for-2

Merrimack:
Nicole Nanof: 1-for-4, two RBI, one run
Alyssa Williamson: 3-for-4, one RBI
Megan Cook: Complete game, six strikeouts

Game 2:
AIC:
Alexa DiLeo: 1-for 3, three RBI
Kayla Riley: 1-for-3, one RBI, one run, complete game, two strikeouts
Bonnie Kennedy: 2-for-4, one RBI, one run

Merrimack:
Abigal Amato: 1-for-4, two RBI,
Megan Cook: 2-for-4, one RBI, one run


HOW IT HAPPENED:
Game 1:

• The Warriors wasted no time as they scored in the first inning. With a runner on second and one out, a base hit through the right side scored the runner and gave the Warriors the early 1-0 lead.
• Merrimack added two more runs in the bottom of the second on two hits and one Yellow Jacket error to make it a 3-0 game.
• The Warriors added to more runs in the top of the fourth inning to give the 5-0 lead, which was also the final score.

Game 2:

• Just like the first game, the Warriors scored in the first inning and took the early 1-0 lead.
• The Yellow Jackets struck back in the bottom of the first. A one-out walk by graduate student Yami Lopez-Perez started things off for AIC. Senior Jamie Mainez then singled to left and Lopez-Perez took second. Junior Kayla Riley, who was also in the circle for the Yellow Jackets, helped her own cause and doubled down the left field line to drive in Lopez-Perez and tie the game at one. Senior Alexa DiLeo then singled to left, which allowed Mainez and Riley to score to give the Yellow Jackets the 3-1 lead.
• In the bottom of the fourth, junior Sarah Baganz singled to a diving shortstop, who didn't even attempt the throw over to first. Freshman Brittany Guzman then laid down a great sacrifice bunt to move Baganz over to second. After an AIC out, freshman Bonnie Kennedy doubled down the left field line, allowing Baganz to score and make it a 4-1 game.
• Merrimack answered with three runs in the top of the fifth on two hits and two walks.
• It was all tied up at four when the Yellow Jackets came up to bat in the bottom of the seventh. Kennedy led things off with a first-pitch single up the middle, and then would eventually steal second base. Mainez stepped into the box with one out and also singled up the middle and Kennedy went to third.
• After a pitching change, the Warriors intentionally walked Riley to bring up junior Kaley Kempf. Kempf flew out to right field, but it was not enough to allow Kennedy to tag. With two outs and the bases loaded, DiLeo stepped into the box. DiLeo went ahead 2-0 in the count before the Warriors pushed the count full. On the 3-2 pitch, DiLeo watched the ball go by and the umpire called it a ball as the Yellow Jackets took the walk-off walk to earn their first win of the season.

UP NEXT:

• The Yellow Jackets will hit the road to take on the Purple Knights of Bridgeport on Sunday, March 25 at 1 and 3 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED:

• For more updates about the AIC softball team, follow@AICSoftballonTwitterandInstagram, and likeAmerican International College SoftballonFacebook. For updates on all AIC Yellow Jackets teams, follow@AICAthleticsonTwitterandInstagram, and likeAIC Yellow JacketsonFacebook.