The Lady Cardinals grabbed a 10-6 season opening victory on the road at McDonald County on Thursday night.

Scoring three runs in the top of the first got things rolling early.  Abby Sargent and Liz Rhuems each singled, followed by a walk to Alex Maturino to load the bases.  After McDonald County recorded the first out at home, Lily Hall drove in the first run with a ground out to short.  An infield single from Noa Shewmake and a Mustang error scored two more.

McDonald County got one run back in the bottom of the first, but the Cardinals responded with two more in the half of the second inning.  After the Mustangs recorded the first two outs, Abby Sargent doubled to deep left, scoring on an error on a ball hit by Liz Rhuems.  Alex Maturino reached on an infield single, allowing Rheums to score.   

Two more runs in the fourth and another three in the sixth pushed the Cardinals on to the 10-6 win.

Rhuems finished with two hits, two rbi's and three runs scored.  Abby Sargent and Shewmake also recorded two hits on the evening, with Shewmake driving in two.   

Alivia Nieburg earned the win, pitching the first four innings.   She held the Mustangs to only a single hit, issuing only one walk.  Avrie Allen pitched the final three innings, allowing four runs, striking out three and only issuing one free pass.

The Lady Cardinals will back on the road next Tuesday as they travel to Nixa.