CLERMONT, FL -- Laura Aptowitz had five hits in the first day of the 2017 Union College softball season, as the Dutchwomen split. Union lost 9-8 in eight innings vs. Buffalo State but bounced back to defeat Minnesota-Morris, 4-2.

In the opener. Aptowitz had three of Union's 11 hits in the wild game against the Bengals. Kara Brown and Nikki Ditizio had two hits each and Brown had two RBIs. It was 4-4 after the first and Union led 7-4 entering the sixth but Buffalo State scored three in the bottom of that inning to tie it. Union took an 8-7 lead in the top of the eighth on a bases loaded walk by Carli Voellm. But the Bengals scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the inning for the victory.

Cassandra O'Hern had three hits and drove in six runs for Buffalo State, and the Bengals got two hits each from Kaelee Lynch, Laura Crooks and Melissa Woods. Allie Block, the third pitcher for the home team, got the win with one third of an inning, a strikeout in the eighth.

Aptowitz, Browna nd Kim Puzo had two hits each in the victory over the Cougars. Brown had an RBI and got the victory allowing one earned run with a strikeout and eight hits in five innings. Dana Dolinko's two shutout innings, with just one hit, earned her the save.

Autumn Montgomery and Emily Nordquist had two hits each for Minnesota Morris.

Union continues the Florida break week with games Sunday vs. Allegheny (9 AM) and Wesleyan (11:30 AM).