CLERMONT, Fla. -- On the final day in Florida, the John Carroll softball team split a pair of games to return to University Heights with a 5-5 record. JCU fell to Adrian College, 8-0 in 6 innings, and then defeated Lebanon Valley College, 8-3, at Hancock Fields to cap off the Spring Games slate.
 
Sophomore left fielder Emma Gurley went 3-for-5 at the plate, including a double, and tallied three RBI. She also scored a pair of runs and recorded the lone stolen base for the Blue Streaks on the day. Freshman center fielder Gracie Bressoud batted 3-for-7 with a double of her own.
 
GAME 1
In the bottom of the first inning, a shot out to left center by sophomore right fielder Crista Nativio looked to start things off for John Carroll. However, JCU was unable to string any more hits together and took the field for the second inning.
 
With a runner in scoring position and one out in the top of the second, the Bulldogs threatened to score. However, Gurley made a play at third to get the lead runner out to help hold the opposition at bay. Senior Jenn Patterson then closed out the half with a strikeout.
 
"That was a really smart play by Emma to E [senior third baseman Elizabeth Fraas] to get the tag, said Head Coach Nicole Loudin. "Not many left fielders can make that read and make that throw."
 
After a quiet home half in the second inning, Adrian hit its stride and recorded two runs for a 2-0 lead. The Bulldogs went on to tally two runs in each of their next at bats through six innings to end the game early with an 8-0 win.
 
Despite some good contact and efforts, Bressoud's bunt single in the bottom of the third and Gurley's base hit out to right center in the sixth were the only other hits in the game for the Blue Streaks.
 
GAME 2
After two scoreless innings, John Carroll loaded the bases on a walk to senior second baseman Alee Burke and a pair of base hits by freshman shortstop Taylor Homan and Nativio. Gurley stepped to the plate and ripped a double to right center to send all three home. Sophomore catcher/designated player Kristen Jesberger followed up with a double of her own to knock Gurley in for the 4-0 lead.
 
Lebanon Valley responded with two runs to cut the deficit to two.
 
JCU added to its lead in the top of the fourth when Homan knocked in a runner with a single to center field.
 
The Blue Streaks held off the Flying Dutchmen and scored a pair of runs in the top of the fifth on a Jesberger homerun -- her second of the trip -- for a 7-2 lead.
 
Lebanon Valley got one back in the home half but John Carroll recorded their final run on a single up the middle from freshman left fielder Maddie Traub. The Blue Streaks then sealed the victory with a solid defensive showing in the sixth and seventh.

"I'm really happy with the way the team chose to react and finish this trip," said head coach Nicole Loudin. "The team showed up and battled; they came up with clutch hits and stayed positive. They were the best version of themselves in game two and that is the type of team we should always want to be, win or lose. This was a tough slate of games and to come out 5-5, I'm very proud of this entire team."
 
John Carroll will return to action and host Ohio Wesleyan in a doubleheader on Thursday, March 19 on Bracken Field at 3:30 p.m.