The Muhlenberg softball team played some of the best in Division III to start the 2022 season.

The Mules played consecutive doubleheaders in Virginia against ninth-ranked Christopher Newport and third-ranked Virginia Wesleyan, the defending national champion. Muhlenberg dropped all four games, 14-0 and 20-0 to Christopher Newport and 5-1 and 9-0 to Virginia Wesleyan.

The best of the games was the opener at Virginia Wesleyan. Senior Cora Bridgers (pictured above) held the Marlins to one run through the first five innings and helped her own cause by diving to catch a popup and start an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the fifth.

The Mules carried the momentum into the next half-inning and tied the game in the top of the sixth. Freshman Kaitlyn Burrman hit a sharp single up the middle for her first career hit. Sophomore Jane Banahan pinch-ran and stole second base, then came around to score when freshman Kaya Mahy dumped a single into center field.

Virginia Wesleyan scored four runs in the bottom of the inning, however, and held Muhlenberg scoreless in the final frame.

Mahy went 3-for-7 in thee four games, while freshman Justine Bergara and sophomore Gillian Zack also recorded their first career hits for the Mules.