BOSTON, Mass. – Home runs from Amanda Horton, Jenna Giannelli and Alexandra Wysota paved the way Thursday night as the Emerson Softball Team held their home opener with an 8-0 (5) win over Newbury. Alicia Daniele took the win for the Lions, who are now 7-4 on the year while the Nighthawks fall to 4-7 overall.

The Lions started off a bit sluggish as two hits and an error loaded the bases with no outs for Newbury in the first, but Daniele stepped up to compose herself as she fired back to strike out the next three to keep Newbury scoreless.

The Lion offense also had something to say in the first as Shannon Torosian drove home the first run of the game with a single to right center. Jenna Giannelli dug in next to send a 3-0 pitch deep to left center to make it 3-0 after one complete.

EC continued their scoring ways in the second inning as well with Amanda Horton crushing a 2-1 pitch to the deepest part of the field to score two before Jenna Giannelli struck again, this time with an RBI triple as the score held at 6-0 after two.

The Lions finished their damage of the scoreboard in the third, this time with Alexandra Wysota bringing home Bianca Buono with a two run blast to left field to pull it to 8-0. In the circle for the Lions, Daniele was masterful, allowing only two hits and five strikeouts before Jenna Giannelli took the last two innings allowing only one hit and two Ks.

The Lions return to action tomorrow as they set to face Suffolk in a doubleheader. Game times are set for 5 and 7 p.m. in Boston at Emerson's Rotch Field.