CLERMONT, Fla. – The Macalester College softball team concluded its Spring Break trip with an 11-3 win over Lawrence College and a 9-5 loss to Simpson College on Friday at THE Spring Games at Hancock Park Ballfields. The Scots head north with a 7-3 record in Florida for an overall record of 11-5.

Against Lawrence (2-6), Macalester answered a Vikings' run in the top of the first with two runs in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Tess Bojorquez (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente) singled home senior Renee Nicholson (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) and scored on a double by sophomore Alli Johnson (Waukee, Iowa/Northwest) for a 2-1 lead. In the second inning, senior Sophie Futchko (Prince Frederick, Md./Huntingtown) and sophomore Elizabeth Welch (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) both delivered run-scoring singles to extend the lead to 4-1.

The big inning for the Scots came in the third, with five runs for a commanding 9-1 advantage. First years Safiya Butler (St. Louis, Mo./Whitfield School) and Dylan Tapia (Tarzana, Calif./Notre Dame) had RBIs along with Futchko, Welch and Bojorquez in the inning that included four hits. In the top of the fifth the Scots were one out away from ending the game until Mattigan Haller hit a two-run homer to extend the game. The game didn't go past the fifth, as Futchko and Bojorquez drove in runs to end the game, 11-3.

Butler went 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI, with Welch and Futchko recording two hits apiece. Futchko and Bojorquez each drove in three runs. Sophomore pitcher Martha Miller (Medford, Wis./Medford) started and gave up one run on five hits while striking out three without a walk in three innings.

In the final game in Florida, the Scots struck early against Simpson (13-1), scoring a run on a single by Bojorquez that plated Futchko. Macalester had four hits in the first inning but left two runners on base. The Storm responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, including a solo home run by Megan Heidelbauer. The game turned in the third inning, with Simpson scoring seven runs on six hits and an error for a 9-1 lead. Despite giving up the big inning, the Scots battled back, scoring a run in the fourth on a single by Johnson that brought home Butler. Then in the sixth, Bojorquez led off with a home run to left centerfield, her second of the season. After retiring the Storm in order in the bottom of the sixth, Bojorquez hit a two-run single to plate Futchko and Nicholson to make the score 9-5. A strikeout and flyout ended the comeback attempt and the game in favor of Simpson.

Bojorquez pitched the final 4 2/3 innings, allowing three unearned runs and three hits while striking out three and walking one. She went 4-for-4 at the plate with a run and four RBIs to also lead the offense. Nicholson, Futchko and Johnson each had two hits for the Scots.

Macalester returns to action on Saturday, Mar. 29 for a non-conference doubleheader against UW-River Falls in the home opener. The first game starts at 1:00 p.m. at the Macalester Softball Complex.