Kissimmee, Fla. – The Wheaton softball team opened its eight-game trip to Central Florida on Monday with a pair of victories. The wins were the first victories at Wheaton for head coach Amanda Fazzari in her first season at the helm of the Thunder softball program.

The Thunder defeated Gordon College 4-2 on Monday afternoon in Wheaton's opening game the "The Spring Games". Wheaton topped Defiance College 6-4 in the final game for the Thunder on Monday afternoon.

In the win against Gordon, Wheaton scored three runs in the second inning. Gordon scored both of their runs in the bottom of the third inning to cut the Thunder lead to 3-2. The Thunder added an insurance run in the top of the fifth inning to account for the 4-2 final score. Wheaton plated four runs, on nine hits, with no errors. Gordon tallied two runs, on five hits, with two errors.
Thunder pitcher Alese Antonello (1-0) earned the win in seven innings in the circle. She allowed two earned runs, in scattering five hits, with four walks and one strikeout. Antonello helped her own cause at the plate as she was 1-for-2, hitting a double, with a walk drawn and a run scored.

Infielder Olivia Nahorniak was 2-for-4, with a run scored against Gordon. Freshman Abby Whitehead was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Wheaton closed day one with its 6-4 victory against Defiance. The Yellow Jackets scored first with two runs in the top of the first inning. The Thunder scored once in the bottom of the first and added another run in the bottom of the second. The Thunder offense plated four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 6-2 lead. Defiance tallied two runs in the top of the sixth inning as Wheaton held off the Yellow Jackets in earning the 6-4 victory.  The Thunder plated six runs, on eight hits, with no errors and Defiance tallied four runs, on six hits, committing three errors.

Freshman Shylah Dozeman (1-0) earned the victory as she tossed six innings. Dozeman scattered six hits, on four earned runs, with four strikeouts and three walks. Antonello worked one scoreless inning of relief to pick up the save. She did not allow a hit and struck out two Yellow Jacket batters.

Whitehead (PICTURED LEFT) was 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles as she drove in three runs. Nahorniak was 2-for-4, with one run scored. Paige Andrews contributed a double.

Wheaton returns to action on Tuesday with a pair od games in Clermont, Florida. The Thunder will face Dominican University at 9:00 a.m. (EST). Wheaton takes on Thomas College at 11:30 a.m. (EST) in their second game on Tuesday.