CLERMONT, Fla. — The Norwich University softball team continued its Spring Break trip to Florida on Thursday afternoon, dropping a pair of contests to Bluffton (7-2) and Elizabethtown (9-0).

Game 1: Bluffton 7, Norwich 2
After a scoreless start that featured strong pitching from both sides, Bluffton broke through with a three-run third inning to take the early lead. The Beavers added another run in the fourth while keeping the Norwich offense quiet through the middle innings.

The Cadets found life at the plate in the fourth when Madison DeCota (Strafford, N.H.) launched her fourth home run of the trip to cut into the deficit. Norwich struck again in the sixth inning as Courtney Thomas (Stafford, N.H.) connected for a solo home run, trimming the Bluffton lead to two runs.

Bluffton responded late, however, adding insurance runs in the seventh inning to secure the victory.

Charlii Carbajal Sanchez (Broomfield, Colo.) also reached base for Norwich in the contest.

Game 2: Elizabethtown 9, Norwich 0
Elizabethtown controlled the nightcap from the outset, pushing across runs in the opening inning and continuing to build its advantage throughout the game.

The Blue Jays' pitching staff kept the Cadets off balance, limiting Norwich to a pair of hits in the contest.

Ellie Laroche (Essex, Vt.) and Josephine Whitney (Holbrook, Mass.) recorded the Norwich hits.

Norwich concludes its Florida trip on Friday afternoon with games against Gordon and Husson.