The St. John’s softball team won its season opener Sunday, as the Red Storm run-ruled Liberty 8-0 in five innings in the Charlotte Round Robin after junior
outfielder Chelsea Durning’s first career grand slam and five shutout innings from Kat Lawrence.

Durning struck in the second off
Tiffani Smith after Chrissy Montez and Kristi Cady singled and Julia Sanchez was hit by a pitch. Smith lasted three innings, allowing four runs on four hits, walking one and striking out three.

“I’m thrilled for Chelsea,” Head Coach Amy Kvilhaug said. “One of her
individual goals was to hit a home run this season and I am so pleased that she
was able to do that. Fundamentally, the swing was beautiful and it came in a much-needed situation. That was critical.
At that moment when she got up to bat, I
felt good.”

The Red Storm struck again in the
fifth when Kaycee Cox singled in
Durning and freshman Amber Curry.
Britini Hawley, who pinch ran for Cox, scored on Cady’s fielder’s choice, and Stacia Dopudja scored St. John’s fourth run of the inning after Dominique Marcelino and Jenna Berger drew walks.

Cox finished the game 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Curry went 2-for-3, stole two bases and scored a run. Lawrence struck out four and allowed one hit.

“I thought our execution today was excellent,” Kvilhaug said. “We had timely hitting and made key defensive plays and had a solid pitching outing by Kat.”
St. John’s travels to North
Charleston, S.C. Feb. 19-20 to play in
the Charleston Southern Tournament.

They are set to take on Louisville and Youngstown State on the 19th, before
moving on to face tournament hosts Charlestown Southern and Youngstown State again on the 20th.