The Middlebury softball team recorded a doubleheader split at NESCAC West opponent Amherst (10-3, 2-1) on Saturday, pulling out an exciting 8-7 win in nine innings before falling 8-0 in five innings in the nightcap. The Panthers (7-6, 1-2) are back in action on Wednesday for the home opener, taking on Castleton for a pair of contests starting at 3:30 p.m.

Middlebury grabbed the early lead in the opening game of the day, plating four runs in the first inning. Abby Santis started the scoring with an RBI double to left-center field and later came home on a base hit by Nina Schroeder. The visitors doubled their advantage to 4-0, as Megan Fox blasted a two-run homer to left.

The Mammoths closed the gap to 4-2 in the latter half of the frame with a pair of runs, but the Panthers got the run back three innings later. Sophia Marlino hit a two-out double and came around to score on a base hit up the middle by Marina Lyon to extend the margin to 5-2.

Amherst scored in the bottom of the frame, before adding two more runs in the fifth to set up extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, Fox led off with a double and pinch-runner Kate Likhite later scored on a two-base hit by Marlino. Lyon brought home another run with a sacrifice bunt for a 7-5 lead.

Rachel Lovejoy and Dani Torres Werra pulled the Mammoths even, as they each hit solo home runs in the bottom of the inning.

Fox again came through with a key hit for the Panthers in the ninth, singling up the middle to plate Lizzie Hannafey for an 8-7 edge.

Samantha Hausman, who started the game for Middlebury, returned to the circle in the ninth to record her first save of the season.

Fox went 3-5 with three RBI, while Marlino had a pair of hits. Hausman totaled 5.2 innings in the game and allowed two runs on five hits, while Abigail Jankowski (1-1) earned her first collegiate win, tossing 3.1 innings.

Werra finished 2-5 with three RBIs for Amherst at the plate, while Talia Bloxham (3-2) suffered the loss in relief.

In game two, the hosts scored in each of the three innings to claim an 8-0 lead. Werra limited the Panthers to a pair of hits at the plate, earning the complete-game shutout.

Santis and Marlino each had base hits, with Santis adding a stolen base.

Jewel Ashbrook (3-3) and Jankowski each tossed a pair of innings in the game.

Werra also had a good game at the plate, finishing 2-3 with three RBI and a run scored.