Purple Knights Begin 2023 Softball Season At Ultracompetitive NCFA Leadoff Classic

Columbus, Ga.-The University of Bridgeport softball team opened its 2023 season with two loss losses on Friday in the ultracompetitive NCFA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Georgia featuring some of the best NCAA Division II softball teams for all over the country.

In the 2023 season opener, UB fell to the Griffons of Missouri Western University (7-3), 6-2, and then the Purple Knights feel to the Cal (Pa.) University Vulcans, 7-4.  Cal Pa. opened its 2-23 season 1t 2-0.

Versus Missouri Western, senior Samantha Schiebe (Monroe, Conn.) had two hits and drove in both of UB's runs., and junior Grace Derita (Middletown, Conn.) also added a pair of base knocks.

Freshman Vise Zarate (Cypress, Calif.) made her collegiate debut in the pitching circle in the season opener and fanned six Griffons.

In game two versus Cal Pa., the Purple Knights got off to a quick start leading 3-0 after two innings, but the Vulcans to score four runs in the fifth inning to post the 7-4 win.

Freshman Mya Jones (Milford, Del.), who also had a hit in the season opener, starred at the plate for Bridgeport in Friday's second game banging out two hists with an RBI and one run scored.

UB continues play at the 2023 NCFA Leadoff Classic on Saturday with two games taking on Hillsdale College at 10:00 a.m. and the Ohio Dominican at 12:30 p.m