The New York University softball team finally got to open its 2019 campaign and did so on Saturday, March 16, by defeating Messiah College 11-6 in Lakeland, FL. 

After all of its earlier scheduled games were posted due to weather issues up North, the Violets were able to get on the field in sunny Florida. After falling behind 6-1 on Saturday, NYU mounted a 10-run sixth-inning rally to overcome the Falcons (4-3).  

The Violets sent 15 batters to the plate in the deciding frame, with the big blow being a pinch-hit three-run home run by Rachel Colbus in her first collegiate at-bat. Mary Tindall and Serena Ponciano each had two singles in the inning.

Karissa Zubulake started on the hill for NYU and went four innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out four batters. Cassi Parulis got the win, going two innings in relief.

Scarlett Murphy pitched a scoreless seventh in a non-save situation.  

Ponciano finished the game with three hits, scored two runs, knocked in a run, and stole a base. 

Ashley Mains also had two hits for the Violets. 

The Violets are scheduled to play a second game on Saturday afternoon against Stevens Institute of Technology.