GREENVILLE, NC -- The University of Delaware softball team opened its 2008 season by defeating UNC Greensboro, 1-0 in eight innings, and Liberty, 4-1, Friday afternoon on the first day of the East Carolina Pirate Clash.

Blue Hen sophomore Samantha Shawn (above right) fired a four-hit shutout in the opener to record the first shutout of her career. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the eighth inning, when Delaware senior Katie Lee was placed on second base to start the frame. After Lee moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Allison Borchers, Katie DeSalvo (below right) singled up the middle to score Lee with the game-winning run.

Jessica Kozlowski had two doubles for the Blue Hens, while Borchers, DeSalvo and Kim Ovittore each had one hit. Hannah Angel took the loss for the Spartans, who fell to 8-8 on the season. UNC Greensboro loaded the bases with one out in the fourth inning, but Lyndsay Mouse flied out to center and Lee threw to second base to double off Whitney Sirois and end the threat.

In the top of the eighth inning UNCG’s Mary Greenway was placed on second and she moved to third on a wild pitch, but Shawn retired the next three Spartans to escape the jam.

Liberty took the early lead in the Blue Hens’ second game of the day by scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs Shannon McKain singled, advanced to second on a single by Ashley Williams, and scored on a single up the middle by Beth Bennett.

However Delaware answered with two runs in the top of the second to take the lead for good. Caitlin Smith led off the frame with a single to center, and walks to Cecile Egan and Lee loaded the bases with nobody out. One out later Borchers reached on an error by Flames pitcher Tiffani Smith, allowing Caitlin Smith to score the tying run. After Ovittore lined out, Egan scored on a wild pitch to give the Blue Hens a 2-1 lead.

Delaware again loaded the bases with two outs in the third inning on a Smith walk and singles by Egan and Lee, and Smith scored when DeSalvo reached on an error by Liberty shortstop Amber DePasquale. In the seventh Smith worked a two-out walk and was pinch run for by Amanda Nyisztor. After Nyisztor advanced to third on a single into rightfield by Cecile Egan, she scored on a single through the right side of the infield by Lee as Delaware added an insurance run.

The Flames brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning after Jessica Leary walked and Cassie Hendrix singled, but Blue Hen freshman pitcher Anne Marie Pagano struck out DePasquale and McKain to end the game.

Pagano allowed just one run on eight hits to earn the win in her Blue Hen debut, while Tiffani Smith took the loss for the Flames, who dropped to 1-3-1 on the season.

Ovittore went 2 for 3 with a walk for Delaware, while Egan finished 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Lee was 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI, while Smith finished 1 for 2 with a pair of walks and two runs scored.

Delaware returns to action on Saturday when the Blue Hens face Radford at 10 a.m. and East Carolina at 2 p.m. on the second day of the tournament.

UNC Greensboro vs. Delaware Boxscore

Delaware vs. Liberty Boxscore