KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Mount Union's softball team beat Johnson and Wales 16-8 in a non-conference matchup on their Spring Break trip on Sunday afternoon.

The Wildcats (0-1) struck first with a massive seven run first inning, they had RBIs come from Mady Lyons, Jessica Forneiro, Danielle Floyd and Mackenzie Clee and Julia Huzi scored on a wild pitch to take a 7-0 lead. Johnson and Wales would add to their lead in the top half of the second inning when Forneiro hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring in a fun and make the lead eight runs.

The Purple Raiders (3-0) would cut into the lead with a massive six run second inning with RBIs coming from sophomore Emily Denney (Poland / Poland Seminary), sophomore Faith Reicosky (North Canton / Hoover) and a grand slam by sophomore Sydney Mercer (Salem / West Branch) to cut the lead down to two runs. Mount Union would then use an eight run fifth inning to take their first lead of the game with RBIs coming from junior Tori Sickafoose (Magnolia / Sandy Valley), freshman Kaitlynn Bamler (Twinsburg), sophomore Lydia Brunner (Minerva), junior Adri George (Eastlake / North) and Denney to take a 14-8 lead. The Raiders would then add to that lead in the bottom of the sixth when freshman Kyndall Hahn (Garrettsville / James Garfield) hit a sacrifice that score sophomore Emmalee Marstellar (Vandalia / Butler) and then Brunner got on after an error by the pitcher and Mercer scored to give the Raiders a 16-8 victory.

Freshman Haleigh McCalla (Youngstown / Springfield Local) got the start in the circle for Mount Union and gave up five runs and struck out one in a third of an inning. Freshman Emma Reese (Alliance) came in to pitch 1.2 innings in relief and gave up three runs, two earned on five hits and struck out one. Sophomore Chloe Bird (Norton) would come in to pitch the final four innings and gave up zero runs on just two hits and struck out a career-high eight to pick up her first win of the season.

Mount Union's second game of the day against Adrian was postponed due to lightning in the area and currently doesn't have a make up date. The game was paused in the bottom of the fifth inning and the Raiders had a 1-0 lead.

The Raiders have another pair of games tomorrow to continue their Spring Break trip in Florida, they will take on Wittenberg at 10 a.m. followed by No. 25 nationally ranked Hiram at 3 p.m.