STEVENSON, Md.--The Hood softball team rode the solid pitching performances of freshman Kara Robert and junior Tamara Maggard (pictured) and a strong offensive attack to post a season opening doubleheader sweep of host Villa Julie Saturday at the Bachman Sports Complex.

The Blazers began the day with a 7-4 win before completing the sweep with an 8-3 victory in game two.

In the opener, Hood used a three-run fifth to snap a 4-4 tie en route to the win. Sophomore Jen Guyer reached on an error and scored on another error to give the Blazers the lead for good. Freshman Jess Krietz added a two-run single later in the inning.

Robert did the rest, tossing no-hit ball over the final three frames.

Robert scattered six hits, struck out four and did not allow an earned run to pick up the complete-game win in her collegiate debut.

Villa Julie opened the scoring with a run in the first, but the Blazers countered with four runs on six hits in the second. The Mustangs then took advantage of two Hood errors to score three times in the third and tie the game.

In the second contest, Hood jumped out to a 5-0 lead after three innings and coasted to the win.

Sophomore Jamie Bussey drilled a two-run triple in the first, and senior Janelle Moss and Guyer added RBI-singles in the second. The Blazers then tacked on another run in the third on a sacrifice fly by Krietz before Villa Julie got on the board with a two-run home run in the fourth.

Hood scratched across another run in the fifth to take a 6-2 advantage before Bussey and Harvey each drove in a run in the sixth to cap the Blazer scoring.

Maggard was impressive in the circle for Hood, allowing eight hits and two earned runs in a complete-game effort.

The Blazers return to action Friday when they visit Randolph-Macon for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.