NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Norwich University softball team opened the 2021 season with a non-conference doubleheader split at Mitchell College on Saturday afternoon. 

Norwich jumped out to 1-0 lead in Game 1, but was unable to hold it, falling 3-1. However, the Cadets rallied in a big way in Game 2, pounding out 15 hits in a 12-4 mercy-rule victory over the Mariners in five innings. 

Sophomore pitcher Allison Northup (Westerly, R.I.) had a big afternoon in the second game, going 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and picked up the win in the pitcher's circle. She threw all five innings, scattering seven hits and giving up two earned runs, while striking out two to earn her first collegiate victory in her first collegiate start. 

Junior Dara Kelly (Chesterfield, N.J.) and freshman Laura Deaton (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) also helped lead the Cadets' offensive onslaught in the second game with three hits and two runs scored each.   

Deaton and fellow freshman Liliana Rolfe (Plainville, Mass.) each had two RBIs, as well as senior Caitlin Dailey (Topsham, Maine). 

The Cadets also terrorized the Mariners on the base paths, stealing six bases as a team including two by Rolfe. 

Norwich trailed 2-1 heading to the top of the fourth inning, but the Cadets' offense exploded for seven runs to seize control of the game. Rolfe got things going with a two-run double to score Felicia Armell (North Ferrisburgh, Vt.) and Kyle Harris (Barre, Vt.). Kelly kept the rally going with a RBI single up the middle to score Rolfe and stretch the lead to 4-2. Dailey had a two-run single sandwiched in between RBI hits from Deaton and Rasmussen to cap the scoring in the inning. 

Norwich added four more runs in the top of the fifth, highlighted by a two-run double by Northup to help her own cause in the circle. 

In Game 1, Norwich managed just three hits off Mitchell ace Katelyn Lipsky. The Cadets scored in the top of the first inning with Nicole Perault (Nashua, N.H.) reaching on a bunt single and then Kelly bringing her home with a sharp line drive to left field that cleared the Mitchell left fielder's head and rolled to the fence. 

Norwich will play two more road doubleheaders next weekend when the Cadets travel to Providence, R.I. to take on Johnson & Wales at 12 p.m. in their GNAC opener. NU will also face Keene State in a non-conference doubleheader on Sunday with a 12 p.m. first pitch scheduled in Keene, N.H.