By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Brandywine's varsity softball team opened its season Thursday at the South Bend Clay Tournament and posted a 1-1 record on the day.
Northridge (6-0) won the tournament, as it defeated host Clay 5-0 and Brandywine 3-1.
The Bobcats rallied to win the second game against the Colonials 5-1.
Against Northridge, the Bobcats opened the game with a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Northridge scored two runs in the second and one in the third to claim the win.
Ashley Hamilton took the win at the pitching mound for Northridge, while Kelli Zache suffered the loss for Brandywine. Zache had eight strike outs on the mound. Kendra Zache also pitched for the ‘Cats.
Mallory Barber was the lone top hitter for the Bobcats with a double and a single. Mandy Cripe had a double for Northridge, while Jessica Lopez added a single.
In the second game, Brandywine jumped to a 2-1 lead in the second inning and added two more runs in the sixth and one in the seventh to give the Bobcats the victory.
Kelli Zache took the win on the mound, bringing her record to 1-1. She had 10 strike outs against Clay.
Anette Miller was the losing pitcher.
Top hitters in game two were Kelli Zache with two singles and Kendra Zache with a single and a double.
Brandywine will travel to the Penn Tournament on Saturday. Game times are set to begin at 10 a.m.
Game one
Brandywine 100 000 0 - 1 7 3
Northridge 021 000 0 - 3 8 0
Game two
Brandywine 000 202 1 - 5 9 1
Clay 000 100 0 - 1 3 2