SALISBURY, MD. – The Cortland softball team opened its season with a pair of games in Salisbury, Md., falling to The College of New Jersey, 5-1, in its first game and 1-0 to nationally second-ranked Salisbury in the second game.

The Red Dragons managed four hits in the setback to the Lions and were no-hit by the Sea Gulls.

TCNJ 5, Cortland 1  (Box Score)

The College of New Jersey scored three runs in the top of the third inning and added two more in the seventh inning to earn the season-opening win against the Red Dragons.

In the third, Steph Vuono delivered a one-out two-run double, and Bria Bartsch followed with a two-out run-scoring double. Cortland threatened in the bottom of the fourth inning as junior Carrie Stoddard (Liverpool) singled with two outs and senior Devynn Wilder (Oswego) was hit by a pitch. The Lions escaped the inning when Cortland senior Courtney Kadish (East Amherst/Williamsville North) grounded out.

The Red Dragons put a run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the six inning to make it a 3-1 game. Wilder doubled with two outs, driving in junior Jamie Bucci (Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow), who had walked to lead off the inning.

The College of New Jersey came up with two-out RBI singles from Jamie Purcell and Bartsch in the top of the seventh to take a 5-1 lead. In the bottom of the frame, sophomore Mikayla Shade (Bethlehem) singles with two outs, but the Lions finished off the win on a ground out.

Wilder went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI for Cortland. Stoddard finished 1-for-3, Shade was 1-for-1 and junior Diane Cork (Wayland/Wayland Cohocton) was 1-for-4. Senior pitcher Sarah Salamone (Liverpool/Cicero-North Syracuse) took the loss after allowing three runs in three innings. Sophomore Jamie Lachall (Philadelphia, PA/Sun Valley) pitched the final four innings, surrendering two runs.

Vuono finished 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and two RBO for the Lions. Bartsch went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI, and Madison Levine was 2-for-2. Ashtin Helmer went the distance, allowing four hits and striking out three, to earn the win.

Salisbury 1, Cortland 0 (Box Score)

Salisbury pitcher Rachel Johnson, a returning first team All-American, tossed a complete-game no-hitter with 13 strikeouts and the Sea Gulls scored the game's only run in the bottom of the six inning to defeat Cortland, 1-0, in the Red Dragons' second game of the day.

After five and a half scoreless innings, Salisbury broke through with the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth. With runners on first and third and one out, Molly Simpson delivered a run-scoring infield single to second base that plated Kim Dorsey.

For Cortland, sophomore pitcher Alexandrea Flint (Dalton/Keshequa) tossed a seven-hit complete game with no walks. Johnson's lone baserunner allowed was a lead-off walk to Wilder in the top of the second inning.

The Red Dragons return to action when they travel to Winter Haven, Fla., to compete in the Rebel spring Games from Mar. 15-20.