Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BOX SCORE GAME ONE    BOX SCORE GAME TWO

SHEPHARDSTOWN, WV—The Bloomsburg University softball team opened its 2013 season by splitting a doubleheader against Shepherd University winning the opener, 5-1, and dropping the nightcap, 6-3.
 
In the opener, Mandi Bear started the season in grand fashion hitting a homer in the first at-bat of the year leading off the top of the first. In the top of the third inning Kayla McHale (Dillsburg/Northern) singled and Caitlin O'Connor (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Knolls) reached on an error to put runners at first and second. Erika Yanora (Tunkhannock/Tunkhannock) then followed with triple scoring both runners and giving Bloomsburg a 3-0 lead.
 
The Huskies made it 5-0 in the top of the fifth inning when Chrissy Belko (Old Forge/Old Forge) doubled home Rachel Fredell (Dingmans Ferry/Delaware Valley) and O'Connor.
 
In the circle senior Cait Paine (Lebanon/Lebanon) was in total control. The lefthander did not allow a hit till the fourth inning and gave up just one run in the fifth inning. She closed out the game retiring the final seven batters with just one walk sprinkled in. For the game Paine finished with 13 strikeouts and two walks.
 
In game two the Huskies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second. With Baer and O'Connor on base, Belko tripled to right center scoring both runners. Shepherd tied the game with a pair of runs of O'Connor, who got the start in game two.
 
The Rams took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and made it 6-2 with a pair of runs in the home fifth. Bloomsburg got one back in the top of sixth. Baer reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and later scored on a single by Belko. Shepherd, though, worked out of trouble and did not allow any other runs.
 
O'Connor suffered the loss going the first three innings, while Paine went the final three fanning seven and not giving up a walk.
 
For the doubleheader Belko went 3-6 with four RBI, while Paine pitched 10 innings with 20 strikeouts and just two walks.
 
Bloomsburg, 1-1, will play ay Bowie State on Sunday at 1 p.m.