KISSIMMEE, Fla.--The Hood College softball team (1-7) lost a pair of one-run ballgames to Dubuque University, 4-3, and Montclair State University, 4-3, Monday on the first day of competition at the Rebel Spring Games.

Despite outhitting Dubuque in the opener, 9-8, Hood's seventh-inning rally came up just short. Dubuque batted around in the top of the fourth and scored three times on two hits, three walks and a Blazer error in the field. The Spartans tacked on a single run in the sixth when Shawna Dole stole home. 

The Blazers scored their first run of the day in the bottom of the sixth when Kandie Glenn, Brianna Dyckman and Kelly Gafner all singled to load the bases. Hagerdon brought around Glenn on a fielder's choice, but the Blazers were unable to add to their run total as Emily Tempestilli struck out and Brittany Sabol grounded out to end the inning.

After retiring the Spartans in order in the top of the seventh, Hood began to mount a comeback. Stroup reached on a one-out single and pinch-hitter Katie Jenkins singled to put runners at first and second. Dyckman then drew a two-out walk to load the bases. Gafner came up with the clutch hit to drive in two runs to make it 4-3 Dubuque. But the Spartans averted any more damage by retiring Hagerdon on a ground out to pick up the win.

Hood then faced off against Montclair State in the second game of the afternoon. After the Red Hawks struck first in the bottom of the second with a single run, Hood grabbed a 2-1 lead in the third on run-scoring singles by Glenn and Dunn.

Montclair used single runs in the fourth and fifth to regain a 3-2 edge but the Blazers tied it up in the sixth on a single up the middle by Sabol.

The Blazers stranded a pair of runners in the top of the seventh, and the Red Hawks would go on to earn the walk-off win after a single down the leftfield line off the bat of Liz Russo.

Hood rapped out 11 hits on the day, including two apiece by Stroup and Hagerdon.

The Blazers return to action Tuesday against Skidmore and Dubuque beginning at 9 a.m.