Lady Royals Open NFCA Classic with 14-6 Win Over No. 24 Rio Grande

The Lady Royals softball team opened play at the NFCA Classic in impressive fashion on Thursday, defeating No. 24 Rio Grande, 14-6, in game one of four scheduled contests at the tournament.

After an early deficit, the Lady Royals responded with an explosive offensive performance, totaling 17 hits and scoring in four separate innings to secure the run-rule victory.

Rio Grande struck first with three runs in the second inning, but Johnson answered immediately. Madison Hood put the Lady Royals on the board with an RBI single before Audrey Moorhouse delivered a clutch two-run double to right center, tying the game at 3-3.

Johnson took control in the third inning with a five-run outburst. Aly Dickerson gave the Lady Royals their first lead with a two-run single, and Megan Armstrong followed with a three-run double to extend the advantage to 8-4.

The momentum continued into the fourth inning when Reese Burns drove in two runs with a double to center field, pushing Johnson's lead to six.

Rio Grande added two runs in the fifth, but the Lady Royals quickly answered once again. Dickerson, Moorhouse, and Armstrong each recorded RBI hits during a four-run inning to seal the 14-6 victory.

Armstrong led Johnson at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with five RBIs. Dickerson added three hits, three RBIs, and three runs scored, while Moorhouse tallied three hits and three RBIs of her own. Hood reached base four times and scored a game-high four runs, and Burns contributed two hits and two RBIs.

Lindy Webber earned the win in the circle, tossing all five innings while allowing six hits and four earned runs with two strikeouts.

The win marks a strong start for the Lady Royals at the NFCA Classic as Johnson continues tournament play with three more games remaining this weekend.