MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.  – Gettysburg College won its opening game at the Fastpitch Dreams Classic over the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) 10-5 on Tuesday. The Bullets came up short in their second outing, dropping a 6-5 decision to Wesley College.
 
After getting rained out on Monday, Gettysburg (1-5) doubled up Saint Joseph (2-4) and pounded out 15 hits Tuesday morning. The team opened with a pair of RBI ground-outs in the first and plated three unearned runs in the second frame. Junior Meredith Taylor (Hamilton, N.J./Northern Burlington) provided the big hit in the second inning with a two-run double to center field.
 
Saint Joseph kept it close with a pair of runs in both the first and second innings. After sophomore McKenzie Somers (Littlestown, Pa./Littlestown) took over inside the pitcher's circle in the third, the Blue Jays would manage only one more run in their final at bat.
 
Gettysburg padded the lead with a run-scoring double by freshman Brooke Studnik (Miami, Fla./Dr. Michael M. Krop) in the fourth and two unearned runs in the fifth. Senior Stephanie Leonardo (East Haddam, Conn./Choate Rosemary Hall) drove in one of the runs with a double which marked her 100th career hit.
 
Leonardo reached base for the fourth time in the seventh inning and came around to score on a double by junior Sophia Blasius (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey). Taylor drove in the game's final run with a groundout later in the final frame.
 
Leonardo went 3-for-3 with a walk, three runs, and one RBI. Taylor drove in three runs, while freshman Shelby Baker (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerinton) and sophomore Taylor Doi (Foster City, Calif./San Mateo) each tallied three hits.
 
Somers earned her first collegiate victory after allowing one run, four hits, and two walks, while striking out three.
 
Gettysburg's rally came up short in the second game against Wesley. The Bullets scored the game's opening run on a passed ball, but the Wolverines plated two unearned runs in the top of the third. Leonardo tied the game 2-2 with a double in the fourth inning.
 
Wesley jumped back in front with run-scoring singles by Ashley Royer and Amanda Curry in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively. After sophomore Rachel Julie (Elmsford, N.Y./Briarcliff) cut the deficit to one with a solo blast in the sixth, the Wolverines tacked on their final two tallies on a two-out double by Brooke Retkowski in the seventh.
 
With the bases packed with one out, Julie stroked a two-run single to center field to pull Gettysburg within a run and set the game-tying run on second base. The Wolverines escaped the jam with a strikeout and grounder to second.
 
Julie finished 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI. Taylor and Leonardo each tallied two hits.
 
Gettysburg resumes action at the Fastpitch Dreams Classic with a pair of rescheduled games Wednesday. The Bullets take on Rutgers-Camden at Emory & Henry College at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., respectively.