MACON, Ga. – Alabama A&M (1-4, 0-0 SWAC) could not overcome a steady offensive attack as Toledo (1-0, 0-0 MAC) posted a 7-0 decision in an NCAA Division I softball game on Friday, February 26 as part of the Black and Orange Classic hosted by Mercer.
 
Following a scoreless first inning for both clubs, it would be the Rockets who would put something together in the top of the second as a single and throwing error put runners on second and third with no one out. Raelyn Nyren then roped a 2-2 pitch to the left field gap to bring both home for a 2-0 lead. The Bulldogs would then settle down, recording three straight outs to get out of the inning.
 
They would go quietly in their half of the inning but Toledo would not as Dayna Denner launched a homer to left center for a three run advantage that would hold until the top of the fourth. In what would be a near repeat of the beginning of the previous inning, UT's Nyren drove a ball over the centerfield fence on the second pitch she saw but would then be followed three batters later with another solo blast, this one from Aleah Marra for a 5-0 lead.
 
Following a 1-2-3 bottom half of the fourth, A&M got the first batter out but allowed the next to reach on a throwing error that also allowed the Rockets to extend the lead to six runs. It would not stay there as, following a strikeout, Nyren reached on an error that brought home another run in the frame to reach what would eventually be the final margin of 7-0.
 
The Bulldogs mustered three hits on the day as freshman shortstop Serena Herbranson (Hemet, Calif.), junior first baseman Rachael McKinney (Birmingham, Ala.) and sophomore third baseman Taylor Woods (Decatur, Ala.) each went 1-for-3.
 
Junior pitcher McHaliee Danner (Bountiful, Utah) started and went 3.2 innings, allowing four earned runs six hits to fall to 0-1 while freshman pitcher Esperanza Coe (Beaumont, Calif.) went 3.1 innings and surrendered only two runs, neither earned while striking out five.
 
Nyren led Toledo with a 2-for-4 day that included a double, homerun and three RBIs while Marra and Denner each added a long ball with the latter going 2-for-4 with a double. Erin Hunt started and went the distance, notching eight strikeouts on her way to the three hit shutout and a 1-0 record to start the year.
 
The Bulldogs are right back in action this afternoon at 3:45 p.m. (EST) as they take on host Mercer.