COCOA BEACH, Fla. (March 7, 2026) - Emerson College opened its spring break schedule with a pair of setback at the USSA Space Coast Classic on Saturday. The Lions opened with an 11-4 setback to Concordia-Moorhead (Minn.) before dropping a 5-2 decision to Shenandoah University (Va.) in the nightcap.

Game 1: Concordia-Moorhead 11, Emerson 4

Concordia-Moorhead used a five-run fifth inning to take the lead for good and broke the game open with two runs in the sixth and seventh innings in Emerson's season-opener.

Morgan Guggisberg paced Concordia-Moorhead's 11-hit attack by hitting 3-for-5 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored. Olivia Olberding was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored, while Kailee Falconer and Lily Heskin each chipped in with a pair of hits. Kegan Coulson earned the win (3-2) in the circle for the Cobbers, allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

First year Valentina Luciano finished 2-for-4 in her collegiate debut for Emerson with an RBI and run scored, while junior Riley Caiazza drove in a pair of runs. Junior Cal Sheehan hit 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Lions while getting the start in the circle (0-1) where she allowed nine runs, just three earned, on eight hits with six strikeouts and five walks over 5.2 innings.

Emerson struck for three runs in the bottom of the third to take a 3-2 lead as Caiazza delivered a two-run single to rightfield and then scored on a single to center from Sheehan. The Lions extended the lead to 4-2 in the fourth when sophomore Riley Fasteau reached on an error to lead off the inning and later scored when Luciano reached on a fielder's choice.

Concordia-Moorhead responded with five in the fifth to regain the lead for good. Jocelyn Maki singled in a run to start the inning and then Olberding added a two-run double to left and later scored on a passed ball. The Cobbers plated two on a wild pitch and passed ball in the sixth and then capped the scoring with a two-run single to right from Morgan Guggisberg.

Game 2: Shenandoah 5, Emerson 2

Junior Riley Caiazza and first year Casey Yacovelli each drove in runs, while Caiazza drew a pair of walks to lead Emerson. Sophomore Kari Sorensen finished 1-for-3 at the plate for the Lions.

Junior Kate Regan (0-1) took the loss in the circle, yielding five runs, four earned, om eight hits with four strikeouts and four walks over five innings.

After Shenandoah struck first in the bottom of the first with an unearned run, Emerson grabbed the lead with a two-run third. First year Aislinn McCoy drew a lead off walk and later scored on a bases loaded walk from Caiazza. First year Valentina Luciano, who reached on an error after the McCoy walk, crossed the plate when Yacovelli reached on a fielder's choice.

Shenandoah regained the lead for good with a four run fifth. First year Sarah Connell provided the big hit with a two-run triple for the Hornets.

Junior Makayla Cox hit 3-for-4 for Shenandoah, while sophomore Candence Reig finished 2-for-4 with a run scored and also earned the win (1-1) in the circle. She allowed just two unearned runs on a hit with nine strikeouts and six walks in the complete game effort.

Up Next:

Emerson (0-2, 0-0 NEWMAC) is back in action on Sunday for a pair of games at the Space Coast Classic, starting against Fitchburg State University at 10 a.m., before taking on Wisconsin Lutheran College at 12:15 p.m.

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