Kissimmee, FL --- WPI junior Caraline Wood (Averill Park, NY) batted 2-for-3 with a walk, home run, three RBI and two runs scored as Softball defeated Muhlenberg (PA), 7-4, to earn a split on the first day of the 2018 campaign Sunday at the Sunkissed Games. The Engineers were edged, 2-1, in the season opener by Alfred.

Wood erased an early deficit with a two-run shot to left in the bottom of the first. Muhlenberg countered with two in the top of the third; however, senior Ama Biney (Worcester, MA) tripled and scored on a miscue and junior Kylie Juarez (Elk Grove, CA) chased home sophomore Cassie Graca (Somerset, MA) with a hit through the gap on the left side.

The Mules evened the game with a leadoff blast in the top of the fourth. Wood then delivered what proved to be the game-winner with a hit up the middle, and represented an insurance run, in the fifth. Biney made it 7-4 with an RBI knock through the right side in the sixth.

Biney finished the game 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, an RBI and three runs scored. Senior Nina Murphy-Cook (Roseville, CA) and freshman Marissa Gonzales (Oakley, CA) each went 2-for-4 as Juarez totaled two RBI. Graca stole a pair of bases to go with one by Biney and another by Murphy-Cook, the Division III active stolen base leader.

Senior Kelsey Saucier (Worcester, MA) struck out three in the start. Freshmen Nicole Kuberka (Los Angeles, CA) collected the win and Kaitlyn Hess (Milford, NH) earned the save.

WPI struck first in the eye-opener courtesy of a second-inning RBI double by Graca. Alfred answered in the home half of the frame and scored the decisive run in the fourth.

Sophomore Mackenzie Phillips (Gill, MA) fanned a pair before yielding to freshman Katie Martin (Bedford, NH), who struck out three in the balance of the contest.

The Engineers are back at it tomorrow morning with an 11:15 meeting with Thiel (PA) and a 1:30 first pitch against St. Joseph's (ME).