The Middlebury softball team (14-8, 6-4) triumphed 10-2 over visiting Wesleyan (10-13, 2-3) in the series opener on Friday night. The teams square off in doubleheader action beginning at noon on Saturday as the Panthers celebrate Senior Day.
 
Middlebury jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Megan Fox was hit by a pitch, before advancing to third on a single to shortstop by Sophie Bolinger a play later. Bolinger stole second and reaching third on a throwing error which sent Fox home. Tori Papaleo doubled to right center to drive in Bolinger for the early edge.
 
Wesleyan responded in its next at bat, knotting the game at 2-2. Revi Brown and Krissy Gately each singled and advanced a base on a wild pitch, before both crossing home plate on a base hit to left center by Kendall Mancuso.
 
In the Panthers half of the inning, Noelle Ruschil walked, Abby Santis singled and Jen McGann bunted to load the bases. Fox stepped up to the plate and blasted a three-run double that hit the base of the fence in center field to make it 5-2. Later, Bolinger was hit by a pitch and Nina Schroeder singled to load the bases for the second time in the frame, but the Cardinals were able to work themselves out of the jam. Papaleo reached on a fielder's choice, but Fox was thrown out at home, before Wesleyan pitcher Ava Pfannenbecker struck out the final batter to keep the difference at three (5-2). 
 
Middlebury cracked the game open with five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Santis singled before touching home on a base-hit up the middle by Fox. The Panthers took advantage of three Cardinal miscues, scoring four runs for the 10-2 final.
 
Jewel Ashbrook allowed just two runs on four hits while striking out five over five innings of work, improving to 8-3 on the season for the Panthers. Isabella Secaira-Cotto suffered the loss in the circle, allowing 10 runs on 10 hits while striking out four. 
 
Santis was a perfect 2-2 at the plate for Middlebury, while Fox had one run on two hits with a double and four RBI. Bolinger had one run on two hits, while batting in a pair of runs and recording one stolen base. Schroeder had two hits and a pair of RBI during the win.
 
Brown went 1-1 for Wesleyan, while Gately had one run on two hits. Mancuso batted in both runs for the Cardinals.