MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – Emma Schweigert hit a pair of homers as the La Salle softball team (2-4) picked up two wins on the opening day of the Madeira Beach Invitational on Friday, defeating Buffalo (5-8) and Loyola Chicago (5-5).
 
Game 1: La Salle 3, Buffalo 2
Schweigert got the offense going for La Salle in the bottom of the 1^st, leading off with a solo homerun against Ally Power (L, 4-5).

The Explorers tacked on two more runs in the 3^rd on a two-run double by freshman Ashley Mendenhall, which proved to be the difference in the game.

Marlo Roadcap (W, 1-2) cruised through three innings before a one-out sac fly put the Bulls on the board in the 4^th. Buffalo scored on another sac fly in the 5^th to cut the La Salle lead to 3-2.

Roadcap preserved the lead by retiring the side in order in the 6^th and pitching around a walk in the 7^th to seal the win.

Game 2: La Salle 3, Loyola Chicago 2
Schweigert drilled the game-winning homer, a solo shot with one out in the bottom of the 5^th, to break a 2-2 and give the Explorers the lead for good.

Reilly Gearhart (W, 1-1) then pitched around baserunners in the final two frames to help La Salle hang on for the second win of the day. The sophomore allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2^nd inning but kept the Ramblers at bay over the final five frames.

After falling behind in the top of the 2nd, the Explorers tied the game with a pair of runs in the home half. Taylor Rohrbaugh and Bridget Magee worked walks before scoring on an Emily Conaway double.