The Lady Cardinals, powered by an eight run first inning, opened the season with an 11-1 victory over Joplin in their first game at the Sixth Annual Paige Neal/Christina Freeman Softball Tournament held at the MSSU campus.  The Cardinals sent twelve players to the plate in the first inning of the season.  They collected 4 hits (all doubles) and were aided by 3 walks, a hit batter and 2 Joplin errors in establishing their lead.

Asia Bemo earned the win, pitching 4 innings of three hit softball while striking out two and Laney Kneib struck out the side in the fifth to end the game early.  Chelsea Smith picked up three hits and scored two runs, while Lexie Gardner finished with a pair of hits and three RBI.  The Cardinals finished with five doubles in the game.

They will return to action on Friday facing Diamond and Park Hill South to conclude play in Pool A.