MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Patrick & Henry Community College softball opened play Monday at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic with a split, defeating College of DuPage 7-1 before falling to Joliet Junior College 6-1 at the North Myrtle Beach Complex.

The Patriots (6-12) continued their recent strong stretch, winning five of their last six games as they faced a pair of NJCAA Division III Region 4 opponents from Illinois.

In the opener, P&HCC produced a balanced offensive performance against DuPage. Freshman infielder Trinity Aherron (Danville, Va.) led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate, collecting singles in the second, fourth, and fifth innings.

The Patriots got on the board in the first inning when sophomore outfielder Morgan McCrary (Bassett, Va.) drove in a run with a single. P&HCC extended the lead in the second after freshman Allison Brooks (Stuarts Draft, Va.) brought home a run on a groundout and sophomore outfielder Laura Brown (Verona, Va.) followed with an RBI single to center.

P&HCC finished with 13 hits in the contest, with Hannah Frink (Vinton, Va.), Brooks, Hannah Haynes (Virginia Beach, Va.), Aherron, Brown, and McCrary each driving in a run. The Patriots also applied pressure on the basepaths, swiping seven stolen bases, with Frink and Brown each recording multiple steals.

Sophomore Lily Carola (Union, W.Va.) started in the circle and struck out nine over five innings while allowing just one run on three hits. Sophomore Aris Smith (King George, Va.) followed with two hitless innings of relief to secure the win. Defensively, the Patriots were once again steady, committing no errors while sophomore Haley Goode (Moneta, Va.) led the team with nine defensive chances.

Head Coach Robbi Campbell praised the team's effort and aggressive approach in the opener.

"We came out focused and played the kind of softball we know we're capable of," Campbell said. "We had quality at-bats throughout the lineup, applied pressure on the bases, and our pitching staff did a great job controlling the game. When we combine that kind of offensive energy with solid defense, we put ourselves in a good position to win."

In the second game of the day, the Patriots faced Joliet Junior College, another NJCAA Division III Region 4 program. Joliet broke through in the third inning, taking advantage of two Patriot errors and a run-scoring single to build an early lead.

P&HCC struggled to generate offense in the matchup, scoring one run while freshman McKenzie Cobb (Yanceyville, N.C.) led the Patriots at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance.

Sophomore Aris Smith (King George, Va.) started in the circle, allowing four runs (one earned) over three innings while striking out four. Carola followed in relief, striking out four across three innings while allowing two runs.

The Patriots will continue play Tuesday in Day Two of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in Myrtle Beach. P&HCC will face Central Lakes College-Brainerd (NJCAA Division III Region 13) at 9:00 a.m. on Field 4 at the North Myrtle Beach Complex, followed by a matchup against Delaware Technical Community College (NJCAA Division II Region 19) at 11:00 a.m.

For the full schedule and game updates, visit phccsports.com.