BALTIMORE, Md. (March 3, 2018)-A day after having its home opener cancelled due to inclement weather, the Morgan State softball team returned to Lois T. Murray Field for the first time in 2018 with a non-conference game against Lafayette on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Bears would defeat the visiting Leopards, 5-0 to win their home opener on Day 1 of the MSU Tournament.

The win ended a three-game losing skid for the Lady Bears, who improved to 4-7 on the season. The Leopards fell to 1-11 on the year. 

Morgan State senior pitcher Amy Begg, who a year ago set the school's single season shutout record with seven in 2017, would break the school's all-time shutout record on Saturday, by recording her ninth career shutout. Begg would pitch a complete game, allowing four hits, a walk and threw four strikeouts.

"It was really nice to be able to play at home again. I missed it," said senior pitcher Amy Begg. "We had two big weekends in Florida, so it was nice to return home."

As for setting the school record for most shutout victories, Begg said, "setting a record is really exciting. It's like I'm leaving my mark."

Offensively, the Lady Bears were led by Jailan Young, who went 2-for-2 with a run scored and RBI, while Giselle Alvarez went 2-for-3. Damali Young recorded a hit and had a team-high 2RBI. Mikaela Browdy scored a team-leading two runs.  

Morgan State struck with three runs in the second inning, the first coming when Haylee Bobos flied out to right field to score Browdy. Damali Young later singled to center field, scoring both Stormy Zyzyk and Jalian Young to make it a 3-0 game.

The Lady Bears would add a run each in the fourth and fifth innings for the final score. Zyzyk flied out to left field in the fourth inning to score Meikel Turner and Jalian Young singled in Browdy in the fifth inning to up the lead to 5-0.

Despite being held scoreless, the visiting Leopards would threaten several times, but were unable to get the board. Twice Lafayette would have a runner on third base and even managed to load the bases in the fifth inning, but behind the pitching of Begg and the Lady Bears defense, the Leopards would be denied each time.

"I've learned that in situations like that to trust my stuff, and that me and the other eight people in the field will get out of it," said Begg. "That's one thing I've always prided myself on, being able to get out of tough situations like loaded bases, none down. Situations like that are fun to get out of."

"The infield does a good job in making sure I'm in the zone and focused by reassuring me and my catcher Nissa (Anissa Morales) can see when I'm getting a little too in my head and comes out to the mound to calm me down so we can do what we do best."

In previous years, Begg may have been fearful of get into bases loaded situations, but she has since grown from those experiences.

"I can tell that I've grown over my four years from situations like these, because I use to fear situations like loaded bases none out," said Begg. "Now I'm like bring it on because I know I can get the team out of tough situations like that. That's my job and I love it." 

Morgan State will return to action on Sunday, March 4, when it takes on St. Bonaventure at 10 a.m., followed by Fairleigh Dickinson 30 minutes later. Both contest will take place at Lois T. Murray Field.