NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Norwich University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader on Day 1 of its spring break trip at the Fastpitch Dreams Classic on Monday.

Norwich won its season opener, downing Blackburn College 7-1 in the first game of the day, before falling 5-1 to Thiel College in the second game of the day.

Norwich (1-1) was led in Game 1 by a spectacular pitching performance from sophomore ace Annika Beebe (Marianna, Fla.). Beebe struck out a career-high 13 batters en route to the complete-game victory. Beebe scattered three hits and walked three to pick up the victory. She also went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and a RBI at the dish. 

Freshman Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) had an explosive debut in her first collegiate softball start with three hits and two RBIs. Freshman catcher Sydney Wood (Proctor, Vt.) also had two hits. 

Eight of Norwich's nine hitters had at least one hit as the Cadets pounded out 12 hits in the victory.

Norwich scored three runs in the top of the first inning and then never looked back en route to the win.

In Game 2, Norwich mustered just four hits as Theil starting pitcher Lauren Bonner had the Cadets' off balance all game. 

McGinn, Lauara Deaton (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), Julia Vawter (Pelham, N.H.) and Rachel Kempf (Warwick, R.I.) all had hits for the Cadets. Kempf had the lone RBI for Norwich in the top of the second to briefly tie the game at 1-1 before Thiel took the lead for good in the bottom of the second.

McGinn got the start in the circle, throwing three innings and giving up two earned runs. Junior Ally Northup (Westerly, R.I.) came on in relief for the final three innings. 

Norwich will take on Marymount at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday and then face La Roche at 3:30 p.m. on Day 2 of its spring break trip.