PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Despite Mother Nature's best attempts to halt the start of the spring season, the Norwich University softball team opened up its Northern season Friday by sweeping Johnson & Wales on the road by scores of 4-2 and 5-3.

The wins propel Norwich to 7-3 overall and 2-0 in GNAC play.

Game one was a nip-tuck battle with the score knotted at two into the top of the seventh until junior Erin Clark (Newbury, Vt.) gave Norwich the lead with an RBI groundout. The Cadets pushed the lead to two runs later in the inning when Kelly Travers (Whitman, Mass.) delivered an RBI single that plated Abby Belcher (Winthrop, Mass.).

Sophomore Corinne Baita (Rochester, N.H.) got the win (2-2) in the circle for Norwich, throwing all seven innings, allowing just two hits and two earned runs. She walked just one while striking out six.

Norwich got the scoring started in game one by picking up two runs in the fifth inning when Payton Warner (Harwich, Mass.) singled with one out and Belcher singled and advanced to second on the throw trying to get Warner at third. The two each moved up a base on a Johnson & Wales error on the play, giving Norwich a 1-0 lead. Belcher then scored on a passed ball later in the inning.

Warner went 2-3 with two runs scored while Belcher also added two hits.

Game two saw the Cadets jump out to a 3-0 lead after one when Melissa Rome (Enfield, Conn.) plated two runners with a triple to left and Briana Day (Yelm, Wash.) scored Rome with a double.

The Wildcats responded in the in the bottom of the second against starter Kaylie Miller (Long Lake, N.Y.) by picking up two runs before Norwich tacked on solo runs in the fourth and fifth innings to help gain insurance.

Miller moved to 4-1 in the circle after tossing six innings, allowing three runs and recording three strikeouts.

Norwich will play again March 27 in a doubleheader at Lasell.