Orlando, Fla. (2/19/16)  The Dominican College softball squad opened the 2016 season with a victory over Queens College, 4-2, in a game played at the Citrus Classic.

The Lady Chargers wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard as freshman firstbasemen Taylor Gilligan (Medford, N.J.) hit an RBI single to left field to score left fielder Elontay Collins (San Diego, Calif.) who was hit by-a-pitch earlier for the 1-0 lead.

The Knights countered with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but Dominican regained a 2-1 edge in the top of the third as designated player Brianna Espino (Holland, Ohio) delivered a two out single to score Emily Luzetsky (Bel Air, Md.), who had led off the inning with a single.

QC answered once again with a run in the bottom stanza to re-tie the score at 2-2 and the game would remained tied until the top of the fifth stanza when Gilligan recorded her second hit of the game to bring home Luzetsky.  Espino later executed a squeeze bunt single to score shortstop Jillian Regan (Staten Island, N.Y.) to put DC in front 4-2.

Gillian finished the contest with two hits.

Starter Desiree Joines (Stewartstown, Pa.) went five-plus innings to record the victory, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits.

Jenna Maska (Warren, Mass.) recorded her first collegiate save in two innings of work, striking out three and walking one in the win.

With the win, Dominican improves to 1-0.

The Lady Chargers will take on Rollins College and #1 University of North Georgia tomorrow.