MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The Mount Aloysius Softball team opened the 2024 season, on Sunday, and have gotten off to a 3-1 start behind quality pitching. The Mounties faced SUNY Oswego and St. Joseph's-Long Island, on Sunday, and played Lycoming and Muhlenberg, on Monday.

Against Oswego, the Mounties used a four run, fourth inning to get an edge, and saw Jessica Koptcho (Mountain Top, Pa. / Crestwood) and Brenna Watts (Thompsontown, Pa. / East Juniata) allow one run combined. Maggie Cypher (Kittanning, Pa. / Armstrong), Sarah Henninger (DuBois, Pa. / DuBois), and Olivia Zeigler (Kittanning, Pa. / Armstrong), all produced two-hit games, in the victory.

Mount Aloysius got ahead early in their second game on Sunday, opening up a 5-0 lead through the first three frames. After the Golden Eagles plated two runs in the fourth, the Mounties outscored them 4-0 through the end of the game. Sierra Walters (East Freedom, Pa. / Claysburg-Kimmel) pitched all seven innings, while striking out ten batters and scattering five hits. Mount Aloysius had eight different players record a hit, with Morgan Hassen (Northern Cambria, Pa. / Northern Cambria) and Sophie Smith (Mapleton Depot, Pa. / Mount Union) each tallying multiple hits.

In Monday's first game, the Mounties struggled offensively. They registered six hits and were held scoreless, while the Mules outscored them 7-0. The Mounties struggled in Game Two, as well, scoring two runs, but got another complete game victory from Walters in the circle. Maggie Cypher (Kittanning, Pa. / Armstrong) drove in the Mounties first run of the ball game, in the first inning, while Hassen drove in the game-winning run in the fourth inning. Annalyn Isaacs (Mars, Pa. / Mars) also picked up two hits for the Mounties in the victory against Lycoming.

Mount Aloysius will take Tuesday off, before picking back up with competition on Wednesday. They are scheduled to play Keystone and UMass-Boston.