MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Felician University softball team used alert baserunning, strong defense, and complete-game pitching performances from sophomore Ashley Owens (Lockport, N.Y.) and freshman Erin Powers (Aberdeen, N.J.) to earn victories in its first two games of the 2016 season on Friday afternoon at Grand Park. The Golden Falcons defeated Molloy College, 3-2, to open the campaign, before returning later Friday to win a second non-conference contest over Slippery Rock University, also by a 3-2 score.

Against Molloy, Felician tallied the winning run when pinch-runner Alicia DeFlaviis (Cherry Hill, N.J.) scored on a two-out wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning. The eventual margin of victory in the Golden Falcons' second game on Saturday came when they pulled off a first-and-third double steal.

In the season opener, Felician, the designated home team, and Molloy, were tied, 2-2, heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Golden Falcon freshman Mia Montoya (Cypress, Calif.) drew a leadoff walk and was replaced by DeFlaviis. Amanda Lopez's (Riverbank, Calif.) sacrifice bunt was mishandled by the Lion defense, placing runners at second and third bases. Molloy reliever Chelsea Hawks nearly worked out of trouble by inducing a soft liner and a pop-up, but her first pitch to Steph Donah (Clark, N.J.) was in the dirt and kicked away from the catcher, allowing DeFlaviis to scamper home.

Owens worked around a two-out infield single to retire the side in the seventh inning. She allowed 10 hits, struck out four batters, and walked two, causing Molloy to strand nine runners. Lopez had a solo home run to lead off the second inning, and Jeannette Roldan (Hesperia, Calif.) doubled and tripled for Felician. The Golden Falcons' second run of the game was also scored on a wild pitch, by Roldan in the fifth.

Felician was the designated visiting team against Slippery Rock, and took advantage by plating two runs in the top of the first inning. Freshmen Raquel Manzo (Whittier, Calif.) and Brynne Bauman (Hazlet, N.J.) delivered consecutive two-out run-scoring singles.

The scored remained 2-0 until the fifth inning. Roldan picked up a one-out infield single, and advanced to third base when Jackie Duenas' (Riverside, Calif.) single was misplayed in right field. The duo then executed a double-steal, with Roldan scoring on the back end to give Felician a three-run lead.

Meanwhile, Powers, making her first collegiate appearance, carried a two-hit shutout into the sixth inning. The Rock rallied for two runs in the sixth when Ashley Samluk drove an RBI double and scored on Caitlin Baxter's single. But with runners on first and third and one out, Powers was able to preserve the Felician lead.

Powers issued a one-out walk in the seventh, but with the help of a diving play by Felician shortstop Zeaenna Brackett (Woodbury, N.J.), she completed the six-hitter. Powers had five strikeouts and two walks and Baumann was 2 for 3 for the Golden Falcons.