GENESEO, N.Y. - The SUNY Geneseo softball team didn't open their NCAA Tournament the way they had hoped, as they fell to visiting Mount St. Joseph, 7-5, in the opening game of the regionals.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Knights got off to a tough start defensively as after the leadoff batter reached on a single, the Lions placed down a pair of well-placed bunts just out of reach from Geneseo. With the bases loaded, Mount St. Joseph went on to drive in three runs to take the early lead.
• Offensively, the Knights started off with a first-pitch leadoff double by Leah VanDerwarker, and two batters later Kaitlyn Schmitz drilled a double of her own to drive the junior shortstop home.
• The third inning saw more scoring from both teams, as the Lions saw two cross the plate and Geneseo scored in the bottom half to make it a 5-2 advantage for Mount St. Joseph. 
• Following two scoreless innings, the Knights put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the sixth to close the gap and make it a one-run game. Olivia Fazio got the rally started with a walk, then Anna Johnston brought her home with a double to right center. After Katherine Hayes got hit by a pitch and Samantha Martz singled, Geneseo had the bases loaded. VanDerwarker came up with a big hit again as she drove a two RBI single.
• The Knights couldn't hold the game at a one-run deficit in the top of the 7th, and then were unable to convert in the bottom half after their first two hitters reached base.

QUICK FACTS

• VanDerwarker went 3-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBIs to lead the Geneseo offense. Scmitz also tallied a mutli-hit game going 2-4.
• The loss marked the first defeat in the last six games for the Knights after they went 4-0 in the SUNYAC tournament to win their second-straight conference title.

WHAT'S NEXT

Geneseo will take on Stevens tomorrow at Vic Raschi Field at 2:30 p.m.