FREDERICK, Md.--The Hood College softball team (0-2) dropped its season-opening doubleheader to the visiting Shenandoah University Hornets (2-0) by scores of 7-1 and 21-1 (five innings) Saturday at the Hood Softball Field.

Shenandoah threatened to take a commanding lead in the top of the first inning, sending seven hitters to the plate, but Jamie Gardner was able to work out of a jam while surrendering just a single run. Renoula Jones started things off by bunting her way on. Catherine Bundrick then bunted the ball down the third base line but Steph Gardner's throw pulled Katherine Law off the first-base bag and Jones scampered around to third. Jolisa Jones then doubled in Renoula Jones for the Hornets' first run. After Catherine Beuerle walked to load the bases, Katie Haskins skied one to centerfield which was hauled in by Ashley Lenhart. Bundrick tagged up at third but Lenhart fired a perfect strike to catcher Krista Zerby who applied the tag for the rare double play. Gardner then got Shaquanda Johnson to fly out to center to retire the side and escape further damage.

Hood evened things up in the bottom of the frame on a Hornet fielding error. Law singled to right field to start the inning. She then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Catherine Beuerle. Lenhart then grounded one to short but Jones' throw got past Lauren Wall at first, allowing Law to score the tying run.

The Hornets tacked on another run in the top of the third on a solo homerun over the centerfield fence by Wall to make it 2-1 Shenandoah. Hood put together a rally in the bottom of the frame when Lenhart, Sara Wastler and Jamie Gardner all singled to load the bases with nobody out. Jen Willison, hitting in the five-hole, struck out for the first out. The next batter was Steph Gardner who lifted a fly ball to left field. Renoula Jones made the catch in left and fired the ball to the plate to try and nab a tagging Lenhart from third. Lenhart tried to put on the brakes midway down the baseline but was tagged out by Johnson before making it back to third for the final out of the inning.

After a scoreless fourth, the Blazers had another prime scoring chance in the bottom of the fifth. Law and Lenhart singled to start the inning. After Wastler struck out, Jamie Gardner reached on a fielder's choice which forced Law at third. Pinch-hitter Alecia Weddle drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. But Katie Haskins got Kate Hassell on a called third strike to end the threat.

The Hornets broke the game open in the top of the sixth plating five runs on four hits and three Blazer fielding errors. Catherine Beuerle delivered the big blow when she belted a three-run homer with two outs for the final margin.

Law was 3-for-4 with a run scored while Lenhart and Jamie Gardner each collected a pair of hits. Gardner took the loss, allowing seven runs on 10 hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Haskins earned the complete-game victory and fanned nine Blazer hitters while walking just two.

In the nightcap, the Hornets led 4-1 after three innings but batted around twice in the fourth inning and tallied a whopping 14 runs on 12 basehits. Hood managed just one baserunner in the final two innings as the Hornets completed the sweep.

Becky Schumaker claimed the victory for the Hornets, allowing just one run on four hits in three innings of work. Amanda Lekki tossed the final two innings, retiring six of the seven batters she faced.

The Blazers return to action Sunday hosting Columbia Union College at 1 p.m. for a nonconference twinbill at the Hood College Softball Field.