Clarmont, Fla. (March 1) -- The Assumption College softball team opened its 2015 season with two-straight wins in a doubleheader on Saturday at Hancock Field in Clarmont, Fla. The Hounds shutout Lake Erie in five innings by a score of 11-0 before claiming a 9-3 victory over Post to close out the day.

Game 1 - Assumption vs. Lake Erie

The Hounds were led in game one by homerun performances from sophomore Ashley Abad (Bedford, N.H. / Bedford) and freshman Stephanie Menard (Cranston, R.I. / Cranston HS West) along with a five-strikeout showing for junior Jess Underwood (Hudson, N.H. / Alvirne) on the mound.

The Hounds put their first runs on the board in the top of the second when sophomore Cassie Schultz (Amesbury, Mass. / Amesbury) drove a two-out single to right field to bring in junior Kayli Moniz (Fairhaven, Mass. / Fairhaven). Abad was also on base and scored on a right-field error to put the Hounds up 2-0 against the Storm (0-1).  

After Underwood retired three-straight, Assumption returned to the plate to score three more for a 5-0 lead. With two outs, senior Jess DiPilato (Worcester, Mass. / Holy Name) stepped up and ripped a single to left center, followed by a center-field double from Moniz to put two runners in scoring position. Abad blasted her third career home run to drive the pair in and tally three RBI for the five-run advantage.

The Hounds broke the game open in the top of the fourth, kicked off by a Schultz double. Assumption tallied six runs in the half inning including an RBI triple off the bat of Abad and a two RBI homer from Menard.

With the 11-0 lead, the Hounds finished off the contest in five innings to claim their first win of the season. 

Moniz and Abad led the Assumption offense with three hits apiece while Abad drove in a team-high four RBI. 

Also performing well at the plate with two hits each were Menard, Shultz, sophomore Cassidy Colby (Charlton, Mass. / Shepherd Hill) and sophomore Ashley Clark (Pawtucket, RI / Tolman). 

In five innings and a near-perfect game, Underwood posted five strikeouts, just one shy of her career-high, while allowing just two hits. The victory marks her first of the season, along with her first 2015 shutout. 

Game 2 - Post vs. Assumption

The Greyhounds overcame a 2-0 deficit for a 9-3 win over Post on Saturday morning to claim their second-straight victory of the day, starting the season 2-0. They were led by DiPilato who went four-for-four on the day with three RBI and two runs.

The Eagles loaded the bases in the top of the first, smacking three singles against sophomore pitcher Courtney Oliva (Vernon, Conn. / Rockville). Oliva worked out of the inning unscathed, however, refusing to let up a run. Three Hounds went down back-to-back in the bottom of the first, followed by three Eagles in the top of the second before the Assumption offense started to pick up in the bottom of the second with a DiPilato single and a steal.

Post jumped out to a 2-0 lead on back-to-back singles before the Hounds took over in the bottom of the third. Assumption went on a two-out rally to plate five runners and take a one-run lead, starting with a single to center from Impagliazzo to score Colby, who had also singled. DiPilato followed up with a rip through the left side to score Impagliazzo and Clark, who reached on a walk. An Eagle error scored DiPilato before a double by pinch hitter Nicole Duplease (Leominster, Mass. / Leominster) doubled to left to score Moniz, who had walked.

After a solo homer by Post's Kathryn Dawson in the bottom of the fourth to narrow the gap to 5-3, the Hounds pulled away with four more in the bottom of the fourth. 

DiPilato ripped another two-out single through the right side to score Clark, who singled to left. Moniz followed with a blast to center, driving in DiPilato and Impagliazzo, who also singled to center, before scoring on a Post catcher error. 

Oliva earns the win after pitching five innings and earning two strikeouts. Underwood and Jurnee Serating-Ware (Hudson, Mass. / Hudson) closed the game for the Hounds.

DiPilato led the offense with four hits in four at-bats, three RBI and two runs. Clark and Impagliazzo each notched two hits and scored twice in the game while Impagliazzo added an RBI to her game totals.

The Hounds will return to action on Monday, March 2, against Philadelphia Sciences at 9 a.m. in a doubleheader. Following the game, Assumption will face NYIT at 11 a.m.

For the latest on Assumption College Athletics, follow the Hounds via social media on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. For more information, contact the Office of Athletic Communications at 508-767-7240.