LAS VEGAS, NV – Amber Gamboa and Madison McGonigal cracked home runs and Taylor Mendez posted a pair of hits for the University of Mary softball team on opening day but their efforts couldn't help the Marauders avoid a pair of setbacks. The Marauders lost the opener 10-2 to 2^nd ranked Humboldt State before suffering an 11-1 loss against CSU Monterey Bay at the Desert Stinger Classic in Las Vegas, NV.
 
Down 6-0 in the opener to Humboldt State, the 2016 national runner up, Gamboa led off the second with a solo home run to left center, the first hit of the season for the Marauders.
 
In her first game with the Marauders, McGonigal led off the fifth inning with a home run to center. Keegan Wickman added a pinch hit single later in the inning but the Marauders were unable to add any runs to extend the game.
 
Freshman Rebekkah Keller posted the only other hit for Mary in the opener.
 
Winona Virgil was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBIs to lead the HSU offense. She also had one of their four home runs.
 
After committing just one error in the opener, Mary was charged with four in the second game. Three miscues came in the second inning as Monterey Bay scored eight times, with only of the runs being earned.
 
CSUMB added two more runs in the third before the Marauders plated their first run.
 
Mendez, who had two hits in the game, doubled to lead off the fourth and eventually scored on a Colleen Crutchfield ground out.
 
McGonigal and freshman Madison Jahner added hits for the Marauders in the second game.
 
Jayme Stark went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, three RBIs and a double to pace Monterey Bay.
 
The Marauders next face Stanislaus State and MSU Billings on Saturday, Feb. 4, on day two of three at the Desert Stinger.
 
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